Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working closely with other security agencies, have continued to demonstrate a formidable posture against economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region. In a bid to effectively tackle the malfeasance of oil theft in the region, troops conducted several operations from 18 – 24 November 2024. These operations yielded the desired results across the Joint Operations Area (JOA).

In a deliberate operations conducted in Buguma Creeks in Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), over Eight illegal refining sites were deactivated, with dugout pits containing over 25,000 litres of stolen products handled. Additionally, at Iyalama/Bakana, also in Buguma, a Wellhead used as a loading point by the criminals was discovered, several cooking pots of different sizes, receivers as well as four wooden boats were taken out with over 8,000 litres of stolen products confiscated. Troops, also intercepted a wooden boat stocked with over 6,000 litres of condensate in the same area. Similarly, around Ogaji – Ama, in Buguma South East River, two wooden boats loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.

In a related vein, operations were conducted, around Asaramatoro Creek in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude housed in a local reservoir was discovered. Relatedly, along Idu Ekpeye in Ahoada West LGA, a wooden boat with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted. At Obiafu general area in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks were recovered. Also, at Oboburu in ONELGA, troops had an encounter with an armed vandal who opened fire on them. They responded and he was neutralised. One pump action gun and 5 cartridges were recovered at the scene. While, around Ke Community in Degema LGA, a large wooden boat hidden inside the creek suspected to be used by the oil thieves was intercepted. Further combing of the general area led to the confiscation of a fibre boat ladened with over 1,500 litres of stolen products. Clearance operations was also conducted along the Imo River, particularly around Oyigbo, Asa, Ukwa and environs, with remarkable successes recorded. These included the dismantling of over 20 illegal refining sites, 169 cooking drums, 29 metal container receivers as well as the recovery of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.

In Bayelsa State, several operations were conducted with successes recorded. At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen products was intercepted. Likewise, around Sangakubu general area in Nembe LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered. The operation was also extended to Southern Ijaw LGA, along Tebidaba Creek, where illegal refining sites, a wooden boat with unquantified quantity of stolen products handled appropriately.

While, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol, along Ekpan in Uvwie LGA, intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a tank within the premises of Lamiel Hotel and Suites. Additionally, troops on pursuit, intercepted two vehicles stocked with stolen products at Abe Community in Orhiomwon LGA of Edo State. In Akwa State, troops have continued to dominate land and waterways to ward off criminal activities.

During the operations conducted within the period under review, several achievements were recorded across the joint operations area. These included, the dismantling of 34 illegal refining sites, arrest of eleven suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 19 boats and over 80,650 litres of stolen products recovered. Others included, the deactivation of 180 cooking drum pots, 29 metal container receivers, several vehicles and motorcycles. Those arrested have been profiled and handed over to the relevant authority, while products were handled appropriately.

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended troops for their resilience. He assured that the Division under his watch would continue to sustain the ongoing operations to ensure increase in oil and gas production. He also reassured that efforts would sustained to effectively thwart the intentions of the criminal elements operating in the region.