In a concerted effort to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have successfully dismantled 16 illegal refining sites during operations conducted between April 14 and April 20. These operations led to the arrest of 23 suspected oil thieves and associated criminals, along with the recovery of substantial quantities of stolen crude oil, illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), arms, and ammunition.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, detailed that clearance operations along the Imo River resulted in the dismantling of six artisanal refineries. Authorities seized 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, and 1,100 sacks containing over 22,000 liters of stolen products around Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State. Further operations in Okrika Creek led to the recovery of a wooden boat carrying over 2,500 liters of stolen crude oil, believed to have been siphoned from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Jetty in Okrika.

In the Kula general area of Akuku-Toru LGA, troops apprehended three buyers and three sellers of stolen products, leading to the interception of three tug boats and one fiber boat loaded with over 1,500 liters of illegally refined AGO in jerricans. At Obohia road to Obrikom waterside, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), a wooden boat loaded with several sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Additional seizures were made at Okwuizi, also in ONELGA, and Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA.

In Bayelsa State, operations around Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa LGA resulted in the deactivation of four illegal refining sites and the confiscation of three large concrete reinforced dug-out pits filled with over 35,000 liters of stolen crude oil from the Wellhead. Over 2,500 liters of illegally refined AGO, along with a Wellhead valve and pumping machines, were also recovered. The illegal activities involved an 80-meter pipe connected to the Wellhead for siphoning crude oil. Along Gbarain – Zarama road in YELGA, various tricycles conveying stolen products were intercepted, and two suspected oil thieves were apprehended.

In Delta State, a raid on a kidnappers’ hideout around Rhobot City, Ibuzu road in Asaba and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha LGA, led to the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of several dangerous weapons, including two pump-action rifles, one double-barrel gun, one dane gun, 56 cartridges, 13 cutlasses, and various other items. Similarly, in the Warri South general area, one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, and three drums filled with over 600 liters of stolen crude were confiscated. Troops in Akwa Ibom State maintained dominance in the operational landscape, effectively denying criminals freedom of action.

Overall, the operations resulted in the recovery of over 62,000 liters of stolen crude oil and 5,000 liters of illegally refined AGO. The General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, visited troops' locations in Bayelsa and Delta States, encouraging them to sustain the operational tempo and assuring them of continued attention to their welfare as they combat economic saboteurs.