By Eric Moore
THE 6 Division, Nigerian Army, said the ongoing anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) is progressing with several successes recorded.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday, said in multiple operations conducted across the NDR between 19 and 25 May 19 and 25, 2025, troops of 6 Division, with other security agencies successfully dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, with 20 suspected oil thieves apprehended and over 589,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Danjuma said the anti COT operations conducted by the troops in four local government areas (Abua/Odual, Oyigbo, Ogba/Egbema/Andoni and Bonny) in Rivers State, uncovered several bunkering sites in the forests and creeks.
Similarly, in Delta State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site at Jeddo in Okpe LGA, where over 1,000 litres of stolen products stored in polythene bags were recovered.
Spokesperson for the 6 Division stated that in Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, with four cooking ovens, drums and receivers destroyed, as well as several litres of stolen products confiscated.
According to Danjuma, in Akwa Ibom State, troops dominated both the land, waterways and the creeks, effectively denying economic saboteurs and associated criminals freedom of action.
He the apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution, while products confiscated had been handled in line with the extant operational mandate.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has reassured that troops of 6 Division, that Nigerian Army will continue to intensify efforts at identifying other illegal refining sites and ensure they are dismantled.
The GOC maintained that this will create an enabling environment for legitimate exploration activities to thrive in the region.