Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have successfully recovered 1.2 million litres of stolen crude and dismantled 56 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta. The operation, which took place between November 25 and December 1, 2024, also led to the arrest of 17 suspected oil thieves and the destruction of numerous illegal bunkering equipment.
In a statement issued by Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operation spanned Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states. Troops also seized 88 cooking drums, 20 boats, and destroyed several facilities linked to illegal oil activities. Additionally, six illegal pipeline connections were discovered, and five motorcycles used for economic sabotage were dismantled.
Key findings from the operation included:
- Rivers State: Troops discovered an illegal connection on a government pipeline, recovering 100,000 litres of stolen crude. An abandoned truck with 35,000 litres of stolen crude was found in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
- Bayelsa State: In Okordia Forest, 15 illegal refining sites were dismantled, recovering over 755,000 litres of stolen crude and 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). In Biseni Forest, 12 illegal sites were deactivated, with 34,000 litres of stolen crude seized.
- Delta State: Troops recovered 40,000 litres of stolen crude in Ugo community, arresting one suspect. Another 2,000 litres of AGO were confiscated in Warri South LGA, along with the arrest of four individuals.
- Akwa Ibom State: 5,580 litres of petroleum motor spirit were intercepted as smugglers attempted to transport the product to a neighboring country.
The successful operations are part of a broader, intensified campaign against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, aimed at curbing economic sabotage and restoring order to the area.
