Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division have intensified efforts against oil theft, arresting 19 suspects and dismantling 43 illegal crude oil refining sites across the Niger Delta region. The operations, which took place between November 4 and 10, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 260,000 litres of stolen crude oil products, according to a statement released by Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, in Port Harcourt.

The anti-bunkering operations spanned Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta states as the Army launched a comprehensive clampdown on oil theft and illegal refining. “Troops dismantled over 43 illegal oil bunkering hubs, arrested 19 economic saboteurs, and seized over 260,000 litres of stolen products. Additionally, 11 vehicles, 21 boats, and 11 motorcycles used for crude theft were immobilised,” the statement read.

Detailed Findings in Each State:

• Rivers State: Troops dismantled seven illegal refining hubs in Abesa and Kula, seizing over 60,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. In the Cawthorne Channel 1 and Bille areas, several bunkering sites and boats were destroyed, with 41,000 litres of stolen products seized. Other operations in Buguma Creeks and Odagwa areas led to the dismantling of illegal hubs, cooking pots, and the confiscation of approximately 22,500 litres of stolen products.
• Akwa Ibom: Troops intercepted two tankers carrying 96,000 litres of stolen crude along Okopedi Atai road in Ikot Abasi, as well as three abandoned Toyota Camry vehicles loaded with stolen AGO.
• Delta State: A tanker truck with 45,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted at a military checkpoint, where occupants abandoned the vehicle. Additionally, troops seized equipment including pumping machines and hoses used for offloading stolen products at Willis Jetty in Enerhen.
• Bayelsa State: Troops intercepted a vehicle carrying 1,500 litres of stolen AGO along the Elebele-Emeyal road in Ogbia Local Government Area, arresting three suspects. Around Sangana River, a storage dump of stolen products was dismantled, with three more suspects arrested at Ashawo Fish Camp.

The General Officer Commanding the 6th Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops and urged sustained efforts to eliminate economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta, which would support the nation’s oil production.