Troops Confiscate 24,000 Litres of Stolen Products, Arrest 16 Oil Thieves

The troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta Region has destroyed 14 illegal refining sites, arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and confiscated over 24,000 litres of stolen products across the joint operations area.

A statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said the operations were conducted from 24 February – 2 March 2025, in concert with other agencies.

In Bayelsa State, troops destroyed 2 active illegal refining sites around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) following credible intelligence and recovered over 8,000 litres stolen crude, and over 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stocked in sacks.

Other items recovered included one generator, wielding and cutting materials.

The troops also deactivated one illegal refining site, beside Oando Wellhead and confiscated over 2,000 litres of stolen crude and 800 illegally refined AGO confiscated around Adibawa also in Yenagoa LGA, seizing two wheelbarrow and a pumping machine.

Similarly, in Rivers State, a truck with Reg No KBT 220 XB Kano was intercepted at Refinery check point in Okrika LGA. The truck was loaded with 140 sacks of stolen crude, estimated to be over 7,500 litres.

However, the driver absconded and abandoned the vehicle on sighting troops. At Ekpe – Mgbede general area in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, 3 illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 28 locally made ovens and 3 large empty metal drums handled appropriately.

Troops at Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, destroyed one illegal refining site with four drum pots and massive tarpaulin used as storage facility destroyed. TROOPS operating at Rumukpe in Emohua LGA, destroyed one massive drum pot, one drum receiver and ten polythene bags stocked with stolen products.

At the fringes of Imo River, troops conducted clearance operations that led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with 30 drum pots, 16 drum receivers with unspecified quantity of stolen products handled in line with operational exigency.

Troops in Delta State, around Ugbokodo Community in Warri South LGA, impounded 1,500 litres of AGO stored in sacks at a makeshift camp.

Troops also intercepted a black jeep conveying suspected illegally refined AGO.

Additionally, following credible intelligence on activities of pipeline vandals, troops mobilised to the scene and arrested four suspected oil thieves at Egwa 2, 18 and 22 Oil Wells in Warri South West LGA.

Troops in Akwa Ibom State, have scaled up operational activities along the waterways, hinterland and the creeks, denying criminal elements freedom of action in the state.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has reassured that troops will maintain the operational tempo to thwart all forms of criminality in the hydrocarbon domain.

The GOC further assured that the Division under his watch will continue to emplace proactive measures for seamless exploration activities in the NDR.