From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) have continued the onslaught against oil thieves and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
In the latest operations conducted between April 21 and 27, 2025, troops working in close synergy with other security agencies arrested 23 suspected oil thieves.
The troops also successfully deactivated 13 artisanal refineries, and confiscated over 180,000 litres of stolen products across the region.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the reports in a statement yesterday, saying that, in decisive operations conducted in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abia/Odual Local Government , over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations within a very treacherous forested area, were recovered by the troops.
He added that around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG (ONELGA) Rivers State, an active illegal refining site was destroyed with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude recovered in two reservoirs.
He added that similar operations were carried out in Bonny and at the fringes of Imo River.
Danjuma hinted that the troops carried out clearance operations in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States, with the arrest of several suspected oil thieves and confiscation of stolen products.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has called on troops to sustain the pressure on all forms of economic sabotage in the region.
He equally called on the people of the region to continue to support military operations by providing credible information on the activities of criminals in their domain to the security agencies.