In a major blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, troops in conjunction with other security agencies have conducted a series of operations, resulting in the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves and the deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The operations, which took place from February 10 to 16, 2025, also led to the demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Additionally, other ancillary equipment was destroyed at the sites.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations were conducted across the Niger Delta Region, including Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, stealing crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline. The criminals fled and abandoned the truck on sighting troops.
Furthermore, troops intercepted two wooden boats laden with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude along the Odagwa-Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area.
Other notable seizures were made in Degema LGA, where troops intercepted three wooden boats with over 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
In Delta State, troops projected force into Benneth Island, deactivating three active illegal refining sites and confiscating over 6,300 litres of stolen crude.
Similar successes were recorded in Bayelsa State, where troops swooped on a newly established illegal refining site, recovering over 1,000 litres of stolen crude.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their reinvigorated anti-illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism posture.
He charged them to effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action, assuring that this would support an increase in exploration activities in the Niger Delta Region.
The GOC paid an operational visit to the Imo River stretch on February 15, 2025.
The visit was aimed to assess the illegal activities in the corridor and take decisive action against perpetrators.
During the visit, Maj Gen Emekah traversed the entire Imo River stretch, exploring the waterways, creeks, and rivulets. He specifically targeted notorious illegal bunkering havens around Afam, Obeama, and Umuori Creek in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers, as well as Asa waterways in Abia State.
The GOC ordered the destruction of all life-supporting structures and illegal refining sites in the identified areas.
He also instructed the troops to comb the entire stretch, including the adjoining forests, to ensure the elimination of all illegal refining sites.
This operation is part of the Nigerian Army’s sustained efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region.
The troops have been actively engaged in dismantling illegal bunkering sites, arresting suspects, and recovering stolen products.