The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army destroyed 13 illegal oil refineries in Niger State, recovered 300,000 liters of stolen crude oil, and arrested 15 suspected oil thieves.
The Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 6th Army Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday, January 26, 2025, said the operation spanned Rivers State, Delta State, Edo State and Akwa Ibom State.
“The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army continues its rigorous campaign against oil thieves, achieving numerous successes that resonate throughout the joint operations area. These achievements include the dismantling of 13 illegal bunkering centres, the demobilization of four vessels, the arrest of 15 oil thieves, the decommissioning of 150 Multiple locally manufactured ovens and the recovery of over 300,000 liters of stolen product were carried out in close collaboration with other sister departments between January 20 and 26, 2025,” the statement read.
During a routine anti-illegal bunkering operation, the troops raided a vandalized site in Ugo community, Orhiomwon Local Government Area LGA of Edo State, where a large tank containing 252,000 liters of stolen crude oil was stored. The products are suspected to have been stolen from a vandalized location.
“Further mining in the area has led to the recovery of oil pumps, hoses and pipelines. Troops intercepted a red 30,000 liter capacity DAF tanker without a license plate in the Assad community of Ethiopia’s Western LGA in Delta State. Trucks pumping crude oil from PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited.
“These operations in Rivers State, particularly along the Imo River corridor, resulted in the seizure of over 10,000 liters of stolen products. The products were found around Lekuma, Abiama and Oyigbo.
“On a related note, an illegal oil refinery was discovered at Odagwa along the Imo River waterway. On arrival at a camp in the general area of Owaza, the refinery was found to be fully active. The criminals fled the area on sighting the troops area.
“At the Obiafu oilfield in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), troops dismantled three illegal refineries, which included 10 cooking barrels, two coils of hoses and eight water reservoirs. This feat occurred at Asari-Toru A replica LGA was obtained around the community of Abalama, where troops discovered carefully concealed canisters filled with illegally refined Automotive Diesel Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), estimated to be in excess of 1,500 liters.
“Similarly, in Ababaak area of Onelga, troops raided a petrol station where they discovered four illegal refineries, 145 locally made oven drums and seven wheelbarrows containing 95 bags filled with 5,700 liters of stolen AGO.
“Eight suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection with a blind act of economic sabotage.
“Similarly, in Okoromadi, Abua Odual LGA, troops cordoned off an illegal refinery where four large and small boilers with receivers were discovered. Troops are currently combing the entire area to arrest possible economic saboteurs .
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided an illegally extracted AGO storage facility in Ikot Abia, Ikot Ekpene LGA. Further mining led to the discovery of over 30 polythene bags , which was filled with an unknown amount of stolen AGO and several empty cans.
The Commander of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emeka, while appreciating the efforts of the troops in curbing oil theft and pipeline sabotage, assured that criminals masquerading as economic saboteurs and related crimes The days are numbered.
“He advised them to turn over a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be prepared to face new attacks.”
