The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has dismantled 13 illegal refining sites, recovered 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and arrested 15 suspected oil thieves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was achieved in a major operation targeting oil theft in the Niger Delta in one week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operations, conducted from January 20 to 26, 2025, spanned Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement read, \u201cTroops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have continued to tighten the noose against oil thieves, with numerous successes resonating across the joint operations area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese successes included the dismantling of 13 illegal bunkering hubs, four boats demobilised, the arrest of 15 oil thieves, over 150 locally made ovens deactivated, and the recovery of over 300,000 litres of stolen products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe operations were conducted closely with other sister services from January 20-26, 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement further said, \u201cAt Ugo Community in Orhiomwon LGA, Edo State, troops discovered a vandalised point containing 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Further searches led to the recovery of a pumping machine, hoses, and pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlso in Delta State, troops intercepted a red 30,000-litre capacity tanker truck without a plate number siphoning crude oil from a PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited pipeline in Ethiope West LGA. Over 15,000 litres had already been siphoned before the truck was stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement went on to say, \u201cIn Rivers State, along the Imo River corridor, over 10,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated from Lekuma, Abiama, and Oyigbo. Troops also uncovered an active illegal refining site near Owaza general area, recovering a pump-action rifle after the criminals fled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba\/Egbema\/Ndoni LGA, troops dismantled three illegal refining sites containing ten cooking drums, eight reservoirs, and two rolls of hose. Meanwhile, at Abalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA, troops seized over 1,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt Abacheke in ONELGA, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites containing 145 locally made oven drums and 5,700 litres of stolen AGO. Another 3,500 litres of stolen products were found in a concealed reservoir, and eight suspects were arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTroops raided an AGO storage facility at Ikot Abia in Ikot Ekpene LGA, Akwa Ibom State, recovering 30 polythene bags filled with stolen AGO and several empty jerricans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the Isonogbene area of Brass LGA, Bayelsa State, troops dismantled two illegal refining sites and recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement also said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, lauded the troops for their efforts in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe days of criminal elements masquerading as economic saboteurs are numbered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey must either turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face renewed onslaught. \u201d Emekah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n