…As soldiers arrest 15 suspects, recover 95,000 stolen oil
By Eric Moore
THE General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has paid an operational visit to the Imo River stretch, to have an on-the-spot assessment of the illegalities going on in that corridor.
The visit, which was conducted on February 15, 2025, saw the GOC traversed the entire Imo River stretch through the waterways and deep into the adjoining creeks and rivulets.
Major General Emekah visited illegal bunkering havens, around Afam, Obeama and Umuori Creek all in Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, as well as Asa waterways in Abia State.
It was gathered that these places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities.
During the visit, the GOC ordered all life-supporting structures and several illegal refining sites to be taken out in those identified sites.
He enjoined the troops to comb the entire stretch, with the adjoining forests and ensure they destroy all illegal refining sites.
Meanwhile, troops in conjunction with other security agencies, have conducted several operations across the Niger Delta Region (NDR) from February 10 to 16, 2025.
The well coordinated operations, led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
This was in addition to other ancillary equipment destroyed at the sites.
In Rivers State, troops on routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000 litres capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, stealing crude along Trans Niger Pipeline 36 inches row.
In a statement from the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma,
the criminals fled and abandoned the truck on sighting troops.
“Additionally, along Odagwa – Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), troops intercepted two wooden boats ladened with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude. While, around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites with over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stored in sacks with two hoses recovered. Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the crime.”
Similarly, in Delta State, troops projected force into Benneth Island general area in Warri South West LGA, where three active illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several holding facilities destroyed and over 6,300 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
This feat was also replicated at Omadino general area in Warri South, where two active illegal refining sites were taken out with a number of holding facilities destroyed as well as over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO recovered.
In Bayelsa State, around Etelabu forest in Yenagoa, troops swooped on a newly established illegal refining site with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
Relatedly, around Biseni also in Yenagoa, troops intercepted a tricycle loaded with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, which was abandoned by the owner on sighting troops. Efforts are currently ongoing to track the source of the illicit supply.
Danjuma stated that the reinvigorated crackdown is also progressing in Akwa Ibom State, with troops dominating the operations area, denying the criminal elements freedom of action.
This, according to him, has effectively thwarted the activities of economic saboteurs in the State.
Meanwhile, the GOC, Major General Emekah, while commending the troops for the reinvigorated anti-illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism posture, charged them to effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action. This, he assured, would support increase in exploration activities in the NDR.