The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced the destruction of 12 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 16 suspects, and the recovery of approximately 70,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.

Additionally, troops working alongside other security agencies demobilised six boats and intercepted nine vandalised pipelines in a week-long operation across Rivers and three other states.

The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The statement read, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, while consolidating on the operational gains made, have destroyed 12 illegal refining sites, arrested 16 suspected oil thieves, demobilised six boats, intercepted nine vandalised pipes, and confiscated over 70,000 litres of stolen products across the joint operations area.

“The operations were conducted jointly with other security agencies from 27 January – 2 February 2025.

“In the operations that ensued in Rivers State, troops intercepted two fully loaded suction trucks, conveying 12,000 litres of stolen crude each. The trucks were intercepted along Igwurita – Airport Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

“Additionally, following credible intelligence on a massive storage facility at a scrap yard, also along Igwuruta – Airport Road, troops confiscated over 10,000 litres of stolen products stored in several tanks in the yard.”

The statement further revealed that clearance operations around Imo River led to the destruction of three illegal refining sites, 43 cooking drum pots, 23 receivers, three fibre boats, and over 4,000 litres of stolen products in the Obigbo, Oyigbo, and Ukwa general areas.

“This was in addition to one locally fabricated double-barrel gun suspected to have been abandoned by fleeing oil thieves upon sighting troops in the area.”

Similarly, operations conducted around Mgbede Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area led to the deactivation of four illegal refining sites, 86 locally made ovens, and the discovery of a dugout pit containing over 7,200 litres of stolen crude and 2,700 litres of Automotive Gas Oil.

The statement added, “Along Ndoni waterside also in ONELGA, troops discovered over 102 sacks filled with over 5,100 litres of stolen AGO and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). At Agah general area, 35 sacks filled with over 2,100 litres of illegally refined AGO were confiscated. While at Omoku, also in ONELGA, two oil thieves were apprehended with 14 sacks of condensates stored in their home.

“In Delta State, acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted an abandoned locally constructed wooden boat with over 3,160 litres of stolen crude within the Ashaka Okpai community water channel leading to River Niger in Ndokwa East LGA.

“Additionally, eight sacks filled with unquantified quantities of condensates along the Oando pipeline in Tuomo village, Bomadi, were intercepted and handled in line with the subsisting operational mandate.”

The statement noted that in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, a suspected oil thief was arrested with over 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“The suspects have been positively identified and handed over to the prosecuting agency. Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to dominate the rivulets, creeks, and waterways to effectively deny criminals freedom of action.”

Speaking on the development, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their operational successes and urged them to increase their efforts to ensure a secure environment for oil exploration activities.

The Major General further advised the troops to remain professional and disciplined in discharging their duties.