Onyeche Wofurum Igwe
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, has achieved significant milestones in its ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta Region.
TNN gathered that between May 19 and 25, 2025, troops successfully dismantled 19 illegal refining sites and apprehended 20 suspected oil thieves, marking a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, over 589,000 litres of stolen products, including Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and crude oil, were recovered during the operations.
He said the operations were conducted in various locations across the Niger Delta, including Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, and Ndoni in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area.
Danjuma added that in these areas, troops worked tirelessly to identify and dismantle illegal refining sites, confiscating stolen products and arresting suspects.
According to him, in Delta State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site at Jeddo in Okpe Local Government Area, where over 1,000 litres of stolen products stored in polythene bags were recovered.
Additionally, at Ogbu Aladja in Warri South Local Government Area, troops deactivated a number of illegal refining sites, seizing several sacks filled with unquantified illegally refined AGO.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, destroying four cooking ovens, drums, and receivers, and confiscating several litres of stolen products.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops have maintained a strong presence on land, waterways, and creeks, effectively denying economic saboteurs and associated criminals the freedom of action. This robust security presence has likely contributed to the successes recorded in the state and underscores the military’s determination to protect the nation’s economic interests.
The operations are part of the military’s ongoing efforts to address the menace of oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta Region. By disrupting the activities of oil thieves and saboteurs, the military aims to protect the nation’s economic interests and ensure the stability of the region.
“The apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution, while products confiscated have been handled in line with the extant operational mandate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has reassured that troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, will continue to intensify efforts at identifying other illegal refining sites and ensure they are dismantled.
This, the GOC maintained, will create an enabling environment for legitimate exploration activities to thrive in the region.
