Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have dismantled 20 illegal oil refining sites, confiscated 90,000 litres of stolen oil products, and arrested eight suspects in a massive crackdown across the Niger Delta.
This was announced in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The operations were carried out from December 23 to December 29, 2024, in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.
Lt. Col. Danjuma stated, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have sustained the onslaught against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta region. This effort led to the dismantling of 20 illegal refining sites, the arrest of eight suspected oil thieves, and the deactivation of 21 boats used in criminal activities. Additionally, over 90,000 litres of stolen products were recovered during the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the region.”
In Buguma, Rivers State, troops dismantled a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and seized a wooden boat containing 37,000 litres of stolen condensates. At another site in the Ogajiama axis, a gun duel forced criminal elements to flee, leaving behind 9,000 litres of illegally refined kerosene and three locally made boats.
In Krakrama, Degema LGA, soldiers dismantled two illegal refining sites, confiscated boats, and seized 2,000 litres of stolen crude. Further operations in Omoku, Rivers State, led to the seizure of 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks containing 2,000 litres of stolen products, and the dismantling of one illegal refining site.
On the fringes of the Imo River, troops recovered seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, and over 10,000 litres of stolen oil. In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled, and 8,000 litres of stolen products were seized. Troops also foiled an attempt to vandalize a Shell Petroleum Development Company flowline.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted 11 drums containing 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Enwang II. A follow-up operation led to the seizure of 31 drums of PMS (8,680 litres) at Dazele Filling Station in Ibaka, which were suspected to be prepared for smuggling to a neighboring country.
In Delta State, both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted to disrupt the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to remain vigilant. He stated, “We must sustain these efforts to create a safe environment for exploration activities in the region. I also call on the public to provide actionable intelligence to help combat the activities of economic saboteurs.”
