The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has dismantled 34 illegal refining sites, apprehended 11 suspected oil thieves, and seized over 80,650 litres of stolen petroleum products in coordinated operations across the Niger Delta region.
The operations, conducted between November 18 and 24, 2024, spanned Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom States and were executed alongside other security agencies. Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed the details in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Key highlights included the deactivation of illegal refining sites in Rivers State’s Buguma Creeks and Bonny Local Government Area, where over 35,000 litres of stolen crude and various tools used for refining were confiscated. In Delta State, troops intercepted over 2,500 litres of stolen products stored in a hotel tank and pursued vehicles transporting stolen oil in Edo State.
Operations extended to Bayelsa, where significant seizures were made in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs, and Akwa Ibom, where waterways were patrolled to deter criminal activities.
The overall achievements included dismantling 180 cooking drums, deactivating 19 boats, recovering vehicles and motorcycles, and arresting 11 suspects who have been handed over to authorities.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, lauded the troops for their dedication and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to disrupting economic sabotage and enhancing oil and gas production in the region.
