By Nkechi Eze
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their crackdown on criminal networks in the Niger Delta Region, successfully dismantling notorious gunrunning syndicates and arresting scores of suspects in ongoing operations. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed in an official statement that the intelligence-led operations yielded significant breakthroughs against arms traffickers and oil thieves operating across several states in the region.
According to the statement, troops intercepted two English pistols, four locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barrelled gun from syndicates notorious for trafficking Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) to criminal groups through the Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa corridor. Three suspected gunrunners identified as Innocent Emiyemokumo Deidei, also known as Sele Bobo, Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik, were arrested at different times in operations described as painstaking and intelligence-driven. Both the suspects and the recovered weapons have been handed over to the relevant security agency for prosecution.
In a related development, troops sustained pressure on oil thieves in the Niger Delta, recording notable successes between 25 August and 7 September 2025. The period saw the destruction of six illegal refining sites, the arrest of 35 suspects, and the seizure of more than 14,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. Those arrested included three suspected gunrunners, oil thieves, and other criminals engaged in diverse illicit activities.
In Rivers State, troops struck multiple locations used by oil thieves. At the Kilometre 45 axis in Degema Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 4,500 litres and 3,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) recovered. Around Rumukpe in Emohua LGA, soldiers discovered multiple dugout pits filled with crude oil. A suspect was apprehended while attempting to package about 1,800 litres of stolen crude in sacks. In Abacheke Community, on the boundary between Rivers and Imo States, troops recovered 35 sacks containing over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO, along with a motorcycle and an Infinix mobile phone. One suspect was arrested in the operation. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops intercepted a white Mitsubishi Hilux loaded with 12 sacks of stolen AGO along the Kiri Omoku–Elele road. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting troops.
Similarly, in Delta State, troops raided an illegal refining site at Ifie Community in Warri South LGA, recovering two cooking pots and 35 sacks containing over 1,050 litres of stolen AGO. In Akwa Ibom State, security operatives intercepted a red mini bus with registration number ABK 398XA at Ekparakwa Community along the Ikot Abasi–Oruk Anam road. The vehicle was loaded with 750 litres of stolen AGO concealed in 25 nylon bags. Another illegal refining site was dismantled at Ukpom Community in Abak LGA, where troops recovered 21 jerricans filled with stolen AGO, alongside several empty jerricans and storage drums, all of which were destroyed to deny criminals their use.
Troops in Bayelsa State also maintained aggressive vigilance, dominating waterways and hinterlands to effectively deny criminals freedom of action. The sustained operations, the Army said, were part of broader efforts to cripple the networks of oil thieves and arms traffickers threatening security in the Niger Delta Region.
