Operational Tour: GOC strengthens troops’ operations against oil theft in Niger Delta

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has reaffirmed the division’s commitment to combating oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).

According to Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma “as part of his operational tour, General Emekah visited troop locations around the Ibaa and Rumuji waterways in Emohua Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State on Saturday, 15 March 2025, to assess the troops’ operational readiness and disposition in the ongoing crackdown on oil thieves and criminal activities.”

During his visit to the notorious Ibaa bunkering hub in Emohua LGA, the GOC was briefed on the extent of illegal oil activities and other criminal operations in the area.

He also engaged with the management of TotalEnergies to explore more effective strategies for securing pipelines and curbing oil theft in the region.

Between 10 and 16 March 2025, troops of the 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, dismantled 21 illegal refining sites, destroyed eight boats used for illegal activities, arrested 32 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 160,000 litres of stolen products.

In Rivers State, key operations included the interception of a truck without a plate number loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen crude along Apajo-Elelenwo Road in Obio-Akpor LGA.

Troops also uncovered a newly constructed illegal refining site at Olughighi, near Freedom at Opobo River, containing 10 refining trains, three pots, and over 20,000 litres of stolen products.

In Bille, Degema LGA, a large receiver, metal pipes, and other refining equipment were seized.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a Mack tanker carrying 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude along the Ughelli-Patani expressway.

At Ndemili Community in Ika South LGA, three vehicles transporting over 5,000 litres of stolen products were seized, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

An illegal bunkering camp was also discovered in Eretu Forest, Sapele LGA, containing two cooking ovens and 15 cellophane bags filled with 1,200 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site on the Ladugbene-Ayeregbene axis in Southern Ijaw LGA, seizing a boat loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen products.

Additional seizures were made at Tanaghene, Isonogbene, Otugbene, and Biseni Community in Yenagoa LGA, where ten cooking pots, three drum pots, and five receivers were demobilised.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained high alert along waterways and hinterlands, preventing potential acts of sabotage.

General Emekah commended the troops for their resilience and operational success, urging them to sustain the tempo and deny economic saboteurs freedom of action.

He reiterated the division’s determination to rid the Niger Delta of oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related crimes.