In the Niger Delta, soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have seized more than 60,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, demolished 32 illicit refineries, and detained 15 suspected oil thieves.
The activities, which were carried out in cooperation with other security agencies, occurred in several states in the region between January 6 and January 12, 2025.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, made this revelation in a statement on Sunday evening.
Seven illicit refining stations were found in the Bille general region when forces conducted operations in the Degema Local Government region, the statement said.
Part of the statement read, “Troops of 6 Division with other security agencies have scaled up the operational momentum.
“These efforts resulted in the destruction of 32 artisanal refineries, deactivation of 14 boats used for criminality, arrest of 15 oil thieves, and the recovery of over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
The operations were conducted from 6 – 12 January 2025, across the joint operations area.”
Ten illegal refining stations along the Imo River stretch were shut down in another operation.More than 19,000 liters of stolen goods were recovered by the troops, who also burned drum pots and receivers.
Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, and Oyigbo were all included in these activities.
Troops stopped three boats carrying more than 12,000 liters of stolen crude oil at Odagwa in the Etche Local Government Area, and three suspects were taken into custody in relation to the illicit activity.
An illicit refinery in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA was demolished, along with sacks holding more than 1,600 liters of crude oil and a reservoir holding more than 1,200 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil.
Similar to this, a Toyota bus registered URU 808 XA was stopped on Ndoni Road while transporting 18 bags of stolen condensates, which were believed to contain more than 1,200 liters.
Two illegal refining facilities were closed in the Buguma area of Asari-Toru LGA, and 1,500 liters of stolen crude oil were found in a small wooden boat. As a result of these activities, five suspects were captured and turned over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
At Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illicit refining plant. They intercepted a wooden boat carrying more than 1,500 liters of stolen crude oil.Another refining station was demolished and an unknown number of stolen goods were recovered as a result of additional operations at Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri in Nembe LGA.
In the meantime, troops in the states of Delta and Akwa Ibom remained heavily present to thwart the operations of local criminals and economic saboteurs.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, commended the soldiers for their efforts to stop sabotage and oil theft.
In order to guarantee a rise in oil output and create an atmosphere that is favorable for smooth exploration operations, he urged them to maintain the momentum.
As part of larger measures to protect the country’s financial resources, Abdussalam reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to limiting criminals’ freedom of movement in the area.