Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with sister security agencies, have intensified operations against oil theft and illegal bunkering across their operational zones, achieving remarkable successes between January 20 and 26, 2025.
Confirming the report on Sunday, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said during the week-long operation, 13 illegal bunkering hubs were dismantled, four boats demobilized, 15 suspected oil thieves arrested, and over 150 locally made ovens destroyed.
A total of more than 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products were recovered in Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.
He said in Edo State at Ugo Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA), troops discovered a vandalized site containing 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Equipment including pumping machines, hoses, and pipes used for siphoning crude oil were also recovered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a 30,000-litre capacity tanker truck without a license plate in Ethiope West LGA, siphoning crude oil from a PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited pipeline.
The truck had already stolen 15,000 litres of crude before being intercepted.
In Rivers State, along the Imo River corridor, troops recovered over 10,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Operations in Abalama Community, Asari-Toru LGA, and Owaza general area resulted in the discovery of active illegal refining camps and the confiscation of equipment, including a pump-action gun.
In Bayelsa State at Isonogbene in Brass LGA, troops dismantled two illegal refining sites and recovered 5,000 litres of stolen crude.
In Akwa Ibom State in Ikot Ekpene LGA, over 30 polythene bags containing unspecified quantities of illegally refined AGO were seized from a storage facility.
In the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State, troops dismantled multiple illegal refining clusters, seizing ten cooking drums, eight reservoirs, and over 5,700 litres of stolen AGO. At Abacheke, troops shut down four illegal refining sites containing 145 locally made ovens and a reservoir holding 3,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their relentless efforts in combating oil theft and vandalism.
He issued a stern warning to criminal elements, urging them to abandon illegal activities and embrace legitimate livelihoods or face intensified military action.
Danjuma reiterated the commitment of the 6 Division to safeguarding national assets and combating economic sabotage.
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