Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - Clamping down on oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, arrested 71 suspects and destroyed 14 illegal refining sites across states in the region.
In a statement yesterday by Acting Deputy Director, 6
Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, the Nigerian Army said
troops also recovered over 33,000 litres of stolen refined petroleum products,
in the operations conducted between July 21 and August 10.
Jonah disclosed that in Rivers State, along Kilometre 45 in
Degema Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites were deactivated, and
over 22,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
He stated that during the operation, two wooden boats used
for the illicit activities were demobilised, adding that in Omoku,
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, two wooden boats loaded with eight
sacks of stolen crude were intercepted.
Similar operations conducted at the fringes of the Imo
River, according to the army spokesperson, led to the deactivation of five
illegal refining sites, with 16 drum pots, two drum receivers, and over 2,000
litres of stolen products recovered at Obuzor in Abia State, and Okoloma and
Oyingbo local government areas of Rivers State.
He said a dug-out pit filled over 1,500 litres of stolen
products was handled appropriately.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, around Bassambiri in Nembe
Local Government Area, Jonah said “troops raided a store, where 16 units of 30
litres jerry cans loaded with stolen products hidden in the store. At Biseni in
Yenagoa LGA, troops uncovered an illegal refining site with over 1,200 litres
of stolen products recovered”.
He added, “This was in addition to several raid operations
conducted with other sister services in the state, which led to the arrest of
multiple criminals.
“While, in Delta State, a vehicle with Registration Number
AG 02 KWR loaded with 31 units of 25 litres jerricans filled with stolen
Automotive Gasoline Oil was intercepted at Omuseti junction along Kwale to
Ozoro road in Ndokwa West LGA.”
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division,
Major General Eric Emekah, while appreciating informants for their support,
stated that when illegal products were discovered, due diligence was applied to
verify the authenticity of the product.
“However, where the product is discovered to be genuine it
is usually handed over to the owner in line with the mandate of Operation DELTA
SAFE,” Emekah said.
The GOC stressed that perpetrators of economic sabotage, who
were arrested by the troops, were handed over to the appropriate agency for
prosecution.
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