From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against crude oil theft (COT) as well as other associated crimes conducted in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) from March 24 to 30, 2025.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who confirmed the arrest, said the operations, which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items recovered.
He said the operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products.
Danjuma added that a MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA, concealed with bags of sawdust, conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted.
He continued: “Relatedly, along the Imo River, the anti-COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“While around Rumuekpe forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Troops also closed up on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes destroyed.”
The 6 Division spokesman continued: “In Bayelsa State, operations conducted yielded the desired outcome. This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, where two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks, were found. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was recovered.
“In Delta State, the operations are progressing with visible footprints. At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerrycans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophane bags used for the criminality.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape, making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has charged the troops to upscale the crackdown against oil thieves and sustain the enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive seamlessly.
He warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the wrath of the law.