Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have made significant strides in combating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Between May 12 and 18, 2025, they arrested 38 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products.
The Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement, said the operations targeted illegal refining sites, and the stolen products included crude oil and Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).
He said in one notable operation, troops discovered an illegal connection on a wellhead at Ozochi Forest, confiscating over 200 sacks of illegally refined AGO and 300,000 litres of stolen crude.
They also seized six cooking ovens, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines, and generators. Additionally, a truck loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted at Alode Junction in Eleme.
He said, “In various anti-COT operations conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops made significant inroads. During the operations, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a wellhead at Ozochi Forest. In a follow-up operation conducted, troops discovered over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO were confiscated. Other seizures included six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines and generators. Also, the hoses were used for transporting the stolen products over a distance. Three suspected oil thieves have been taken into custody in connection with the malfeasance.
“While around Alode junction in Eleme, following credible intelligence, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction. Similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area. Additionally, troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 metres away from an abandoned wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Relatedly, at the Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the creeks was demobilised. While the ongoing clearance operations conducted by troops along the Imo River led to the deactivation of seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers demobilised, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Similarly, a sting operation conducted at a makeshift accommodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres.”
While in Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, Lt Col Danjuma said an illegal refining site with six ovens and receivers, as well as a reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products, was deactivated. Likewise, at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir.
In a related vein in Delta State, troops projected anti-COT operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately.
Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow Station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with registration number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.
In Akwa Ibom State, along the Abak-Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a minibus with registration number BMT 459 XA, Akwa Ibom State, loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.
While commending troops for the operational exploits, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, called on them to be professional in their conduct and, most importantly, scale up the momentum as the operations progress. He made this call when he paid an on-the-spot assessment to various locations, where he interacted with troops, reassuring them that their welfare had been prioritised adequately.
Leave a Comment