By Eric Moore
THE 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said it has arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, impounded 212,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and deactivated 31 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a press statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said the series of operations conducted, resulted in the deactivation of 31 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, demobilization of 26 boats used for the illicit activity, as well as the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the joint area of operations.
He said the breakthroughs were recorded in joint operations conducted with other security agencies from March 3 to 9, 2025.
He said, “In Rivers State, in a decisive operation conducted at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA), troops deactivated Ten Illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots,and recovered one heavy duty generator as well as two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude. These were in addition to three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200 meters long hose used for the criminal venture recovered.
“The items were tactically concealed under a thick forest, hence not susceptible to aerial surveillance. Additionally, along Oloma general area also in Bonny Island LGA, three suspected oil thieves with a wooden boat ladened with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted. While, around Krakarma, four illegal refining sites, four boats were destroyed with over 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“Similarly, in Delta State, a truck was intercepted conveying over 35,000 litres suspected to be stolen products. At Opumami in Warri South LGA, 5 wooden boats used for illicit activities were demobilized with 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Other seizures were made at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South South LGA where three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities and over 3,000 litres of stolen products handled. Additional seizures were also effected at Ogbe – Ijoh market, Ughoton, and Alele Communities all in Warri South LGA.
“In Bayelsa State, troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves, but own superior fire forced the criminals to flee in disarray. In a follow up operations conducted, over 12,000 and 9,000 stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were recovered respectively. Other items recovered included, seven wheelbarrows and one motorcycle. Also, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses and dugout pits with over 5,800 and 200 litres of stolen crude and AGO confiscated respectively. Along Biseni – Samabiri road, also in Yenagoa LGA, one Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks were recovered.
“Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, over 5,600 litres of illegally refined premium motor spirit in 20 jerricans of 280 litres were intercepted at Oron LGA. The products were suspected to have been primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.”
He said the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has charged the troops to sustain the pressure on the criminals and warned economic saboteurs to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood, or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.