By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Officers and men of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt have arrested 29 crude oil thieves and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
They also “deactivated 24 illegal refining sites and demobislised 11 boats in the latest crackdown against illegal oil bunkering carried out by the troops working in synergy with other security agencies between February 2-9, 2025.”
Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, made this known in Port Harcourt on Monday via a press statement made available to our correspondent.
Lt. Col. Danjuma said; “In a clearance operations conducted by troops, along the Imo River, 6 illegal refining sites were deactivated, 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers were destroyed. This was in addition to two boats demobilized with over 18,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Also, around Asa in Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products as well as 100 sacks filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude”.
He explained that the operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas.
“Similarly, in Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately.
“Also around Ebocha Well 5, troops swooped on an active illegal refining site with 28 empty locally made ovens, reservoirs filled with 5,900 and 3,500 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and stolen crude respectively.
“At the site were 37 sacks filled with over 2, 220 litres of illegally refined AGO and one suspected oil thief apprehended at the scene. Likewise, along Kumufari Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, 200 meters hose with a reservoir stocked with over 1,500 litres of stolen products were handled accordingly”, the statement added.
The troops also carried operations in Delta State, where following tip off about suspected illegal bunkering activities around Okpai Oluchi community in Ndokwa East LGA, they mobilised to the area and conducted a sting operations.
According to Lt. Col. Danjuma, during the operations, “over 70 sacks were confiscated along SEEPCO Energy company pipeline within the community, which led to the confiscation of over 2,800 litres of stolen products.
“Additionally, troops intercepted the movement of a suspected oil thief, who fled and abandoned his vehicle at Emiye street along palace road in Isoko South LGA. The abandoned vehicle is a Sienna bus with Registration number Lagos APP 89 CV was loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO.
“Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, in the boundary between Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites.
“Similarly, around Biseni at the bank of the River Niger and Akpedi community in Yenagoa LGA and Akinima in Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 2,500 litres of AGO in sacks. In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to dominate the operations area, denying criminal elements freedom of action,” he said.
