Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division Port Harcourt, have intensified their crackdown on oil thieves in the Niger Delta, arresting 23 suspects, destroying 13 illegal refining sites, and confiscating over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a weeklong operation across the region.
The operations, which took place between April 21 and 27, 2025, spanned Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta States, according to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations.
Danjuma assured that the Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mandate to protect critical national assets and restore sanity in the oil-rich region.
“In Rivers State, troops made significant recoveries around the Orashi/Okolomade area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO, concealed in a treacherous forested area were seized.
“Additionally, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA, troops destroyed an active illegal refining site and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude oil from two reservoirs. One suspect was arrested, while others fled on sighting the troops.
“A separate operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA uncovered another illegal refining site with three processing pots and over 10,000 litres of stolen products. Along the Obrikom-Omoku axis, two wooden boats transporting over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects.
“The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers neutralized,” Danjuma stated.
In Akwa Ibom State, swift intelligence-led operations led to the interception of a tanker truck along Itu-Calabar highway carrying 39,994 litres of stolen products, accompanied by fake waybill documents.
“Two suspects were arrested. Another similar operation along the Abak-Ikomima road in Uyo LGA saw troops seize a truck loaded with 39,985 litres of stolen crude, also conveyed with falsified papers.
“Further, at Ibio Ndot Community in Oruk Anam LGA, troops discovered 103 nylon bags containing over 3,090 litres of illegally refined AGO hidden inside a cassava farm.
“Bayelsa State also recorded multiple recoveries. In Biseni, Yenagoa Local Government Area, troops dismantled an illegal refining site and seized over 2,600 litres of AGO. In nearby Adibawa, troops recovered 2,500 litres of stolen crude and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO in sacks, along with eight wheelbarrows used by the criminals. Six suspects were arrested at the scene.”
Operations in Delta State continued to disrupt illegal refining activities and deny economic saboteurs freedom of operation, Danjuma added.
Reacting, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their resilience and directed them to maintain the momentum against all forms of economic sabotage.
He urged residents of the region to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information.
“The cooperation of the good people of the Niger Delta remains crucial. We call on them to remain vigilant and report all forms of criminality in their communities,” Major General Emekah said.
