In the continued efforts to clamp down on illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, alongside other security agencies, have suspected oil thieves and recovered arms and stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the move followed operations that spanned from October 21 to 27, 2024 across various areas in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states.
The operations led to the deactivation of 34 illegal refining sites, the destruction of 19 boats, eight vehicles, and the arrest of 27 suspected oil thieves. Over 215,000 liters of stolen products were confiscated across the Joint Operations Area (JOA)” the statement revealed,” he said in a statement.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma noted that in Rivers State, operations focused on Abesa, Bukuma, and Bille in Degema Local Government Area, leading to the shutdown of three artisanal refineries and the recovery of more than 100,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Additional arrests and recoveries were made in other LGAs, including Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, where arms and ammunition were seized from an oil theft suspect.
Similar results were recorded in Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states. He said troops intercepted multiple wooden boats loaded with stolen crude, deactivated illegal refining sites, and recovered various equipment used for oil theft.
Following the developments, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops’ efforts.
He urged continued vigilance to secure the region and promote safe socio-economic conditions.
