Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have intensified their crackdown on oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, dismantling 19 illegal refineries, confiscating 170,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and arresting multiple suspects involved in economic sabotage.
According to Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the troops intercepted a Cotonou boat in Ahoada West LGA carrying over 34,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). At Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA, they uncovered an illegal refining site with 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Degema and Asari-Toru LGAs, a large pot containing unquantified stolen crude was discovered. Meanwhile, in Okrika LGA, troops unearthed an illegal connection on an NNPC pipeline, where a 2,000-meter hose led to a storage pit holding over 20,000 litres of crude oil. Additional items seized included six boats carrying 14,000 litres of stolen crude and 211 sacks containing over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
Troops disrupted oil theft activities at the Idu flow station in Omoku, arresting suspects attempting to vandalize the Oando pipeline. Tools recovered included pliers, saws, and fabricated pipes used for tampering with infrastructure.
In Akuku-Toru LGA, two suspects were caught in a wooden boat laden with stolen pipeline materials disguised under sacks of periwinkles. Both suspects were handed over to the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In the Imo River corridor, troops dismantled ten illegal refining sites, confiscating over 13,000 litres of products and destroying boats, drum pots, and receivers. A tanker loaded with stolen products was also intercepted in Rukpoku.
In Bayelsa State, operations at Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs led to the deactivation of illegal refining sites and the seizure of boats used for oil theft.
In Akwa Ibom, at Enwang II in Mbo LGA, troops seized 43 drums containing 12,040 litres of premium motor spirit intended for smuggling to a neighboring country.
In Delta State, four suspects were arrested in Warri LGA while transporting 35 drums of black oil, estimated at 7,000 litres, in a truck. Additionally, troops discovered over 2,000 litres of stolen crude in sacks at Ugbokodo, Okpe LGA, and dismantled a compromised pipeline fitted with a siphoning valve in Ndokwa West LGA.
Lt. Col. Danjuma emphasized that the army’s relentless efforts are aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the region. Several items used in the illegal activities, including pipes, welding cables, and buckets, were seized. The ongoing operations reflect the military’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure and curtailing illegal activities in the Niger Delta.
