Pix: Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

In a significant blow to economic sabotage and associated crimes, troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have deactivated 23 illegal artisanal refineries, destroyed 14 boats, and arrested 25 oil thieves, including four suspected members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in Delta State.

The operations, which took place from January 12 to 19, 2025, across the joint operations area, resulted in the recovery of over 45,000 litres of stolen products.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah.

He noted that the operations in Rivers state resulted in the impoundment of a truck conveying over  15,000 litres of stolen products, along the  Eastwest road by Tank to Eneka in Obia – Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), adding that around Karakarma area in Degema LGA, troops deactivated Seven illegal refining sites, impounded four fibre boats as well as recovered over 12,000 litres of stolen products. 

He pointed out that similar operation around Bille also in Degema LGA, led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites, three receivers, three pots of different sizes stocked with over 2,400 stolen products were handled. 

He said: “Additionally, troops also made inroads into the Imo Riverside, where 13 illegal refining sites, 25 drum pots, 24 receivers and 6 metal containers were destroyed with over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Others include several empty gallons, four hollow pipes, motorcycles and a boat used for the heinous crime were taken out. At Oga – Ama corridor in Buguma LGA, four boats and over 2,700 litres of stolen products were deactivated and recovered respectively. Troops also arrested a suspected tug boat and a barge around Finima in Bonny LGA. The barge was alleged to be carrying stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).”

While, in Delta State, Lt Col Danjuma said a sting operation was  conducted, where troops arrested four suspected members of the proscribed IPOB at Power line Bonsac general area in Oshimili LGA. Several items were recovered from members of the irredentist group. 

He added: “This was in addition to several motorcycles intercepted, while conveying stolen products around Abor Community junction to Kwale in Ndokwa West LGA. Relatedly, along Yokri River in Burutu LGA, five dugout pits with unquantified quantity of stolen products were destroyed.”

Also, in Bayelsa State, along Okarki to Otuasega road in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted two Toyota Avalon with Reg Numbers AN AUG 964 TN and By By SAG 513 EA loaded with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO. The vehicles and products have been handled inline with subsisting operational mandate. While, in Akwa troops maintain the requisite operational posture to ward off criminal elements.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam while saluting the doggedness of troops, implored them to increase the operational tempo. 

He further charged them to deny criminal elements, particularly members of IPOB any foothold in the Niger Delta region.