Troops Thwart Attempts At Re-establishing New Illegal Bunkering Camps

The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have thwarted several attempts at re-establishing new illegal bunkering camps in the Niger Delta Region dismantling 18 OS sites, arrested 28 oil thieves, arrested and recovered over 72,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, these efforts by the troops of the Division in conjunction with other security agencies were recorded between 7 – 13 April 2025.

Giving the breakdown of the operations within the stated period under review, the Division’s Spokesman said troops scaled up operational activities, seizing wielding and cutting machines, with several newly constructed drums recovered around Joinkrama 4 Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA).

Following credible intelligence, troops raided De Tropicana Hotel in Ahoada West LGA and intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles with over 1,300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks with the drivers abandoning their vehicles and fleeing from the troops.

Additionally, 3 suspects were arrested in an attempt to compromise a facility around Krakrama Wellhead 12, at Bille in Degema LGA. Furthermore, troops combed the area and recovered three wooden boats loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. In a follow up operation conducted at the Wellhead 12, four suspected vandals were arrested.

Similarly, clearance operations were conducted at the fringes of Imo River with 6 illegal refining sites deactivated, 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers destroyed and 540 sacks filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

Troops also thwarted several attempts by the economic saboteurs to re-establish their nefarious hubs at the fringes of the Imo River, with various newly constructed drum pots and receivers destroyed.

Troops In Delta State, along Koko – Obitigbo road intercepted canter truck, Ford bus and fuel tanker conveying over 25,200 litres of stolen products. Also in a separate operation conducted, a fuel tanker conveying over 10,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted at Koko.

In a related vein, around Oton – Urakpa area in Sapele LGA, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering camp located in a forest.

Further exploitation in the forest led to the recovery of various items, including 100 cellophane bags filled with over 3,350 litres, one drum of illegally refined AGO and one big iron tank also filled with illegally refined AGO.

Others included three empty drums, two ovens, a lengthy rubber hose and connected iron pipes spanning over a reasonable distance.

Troops in Bayelsa State, around Biseni Community in Yenagoa LGA (YELGA) discovered three illegal refining sites, several refining facilities, with over 2,100 litres of stolen crude stocked in dugout pits discovered. Also an illegal refining site was deactivated with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered at Okordia also in YELGA.

Meanwhile, troops cumulatively intercepted 8 jerricans of 30 litres capacity each filled with AGO in Akwa Ibom State, along Okobo – Uyo road in Okobo LGA. All the suspects arrested have been handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution, while products were handled in line with extant operational mandate.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah while commending the troops for their resilience, reassured the good people of the region of the enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.

The GOC has again warned criminal elements to desist from indulging in mindless economic sabotage or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.

Olusola Akintonde