By Emma Sunday
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have recovered over 700,000 Litres Stolen Products, arresting 38 Suspects.
The recent feat followed intensified crackdown against crude oil theft and associated crimes across the Niger Delta Region.
The operations, according to a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations on Sunday was conducted in conjunction with other security agencies between May 12 and 18, 2025.
The operations also led to the deactivation of 28 illegal refining sites, as well as the destruction of several locally made boats used for criminality.
Danjuma noted that the various anti crude oil theft operations were conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops made significant inroads.
He added that during the operations, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest.
Danjuma further disclosed that the troops in a follow up operation within the area discovered and confiscated over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO.
Other seizures included six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines and generators.
Also, recovered were hoses used for transporting the stolen products over a distance, as three suspected oil thieves were taken into custody in connection with the malfeasance.
Danjuma disclosed that around Alode junction in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the troops following credible intelligence, swooped in on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction.
Similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area.
Additionally, troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.
Relatedly, at Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude, hidden in the creeks was demobilised.
According to the statement, the troops in a clearance operation along Imo River deactivated seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers recovered, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Similarly, a sting operations conducted at a makeshift accommodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA, led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres.
In Bayelsa State, around Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with six ovens, receivers as well as reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated.
Likewise, at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir.
In Delta State, troops projected anti crude oil theft operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and Six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately.
Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.
In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak – Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.
Lt. Col. Danjuma quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, to have commended the troops for the operational exploits, calling on them to be professional in their conduct and most importantly scale up the momentum as the operations progresses.
He made this call, when he paid an on the spot assessment to various locations, where he interacted with troops, reassuring them that their welfare had been prioritized adequately.
