Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army with other security agencies have intensified crackdown against Crude Oil Theft and associated crimes across the Niger Delta Region leading to the discovery of over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and confiscation of 300,000 litres of stolen AGO.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the operations, which were conducted between 12 and 18 May 2025 led to the arrest of thirty eight suspected oil thieves, deactivation of twenty eight illegal refining sites in the region.
According to the statement, several locally made boats used for the criminal activities were destroyed, with over seven hundred thousand litres of stolen products recovered during the operation.
In operations conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops made significant inroads with the discovery of an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest.
In a follow up operations conducted, troops seized six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, Four reservoirs, Six receivers, pumping machines and generators.
Also, recovered were hoses used for transporting the stolen products over a distance. Three suspected oil thieves have been taken into custody in connection to the malfeasance.
While around Alode junction in Eleme, following credible intelligence, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction.
Similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area.
Additionally, troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned Wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.
Relatedly, at Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the Creeks was demobilised. While, the ongoing clearance operations conducted by troops along Imo River led the deactivation of Seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers demobilized, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Similarly, a sting operations conducted at a makeshift accommodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA, led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres.
In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with Six ovens, receivers as well as reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated. Likewise, at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir.
Meanwhile in Delta State, troops conducted operations in Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where Three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and Six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately.
Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.
In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak – Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.
While commending troops for the operational exploits, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah called on them to be professional in their conduct and scale up the momentum as the operations progresses. He reassured them that their welfare have been prioritized adequately.
Source: Amaka Onwu
