By Nkechi Eze
In an effort aimed at sustaining the crackdown against economic sabotage and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have thwarted several attempts at re-establishing new illegal bunkering camps in the NDR.
These efforts led to the arrest of 28 suspected oil thieves, dismantling of 18 illegal bunkering sites, and the recovery of over 72,000 litres of stolen products across the region.
These feats were recorded by the troops of the Division from 7 – 13 April 2025 in conjunction with other security agencies.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma in an official signed statement disclosed that in Rivers State, troops scaled up operational activities, which effectively thwarted attempts by the criminals to set up new illegal bunkering sites.
This was evident around Joinkrama 4 Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA), where wielding and cutting machines, with several newly constructed drums were recovered.
Also, following credible intelligence, troops raided De Tropicana Hotel in Ahoada West LGA and intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles with over 1,300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks. The drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled.
Additionally, around Krakrama Wellhead 12 at Bille in Degema LGA, 3 suspects were arrested at the site in a attempt to compromise the facility.
Furthermore, troops combed the area and recovered three wooden boats loaded with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. In a follow operations conducted at the Wellhead 12, four suspected vandals were arrested. Several operations were also conducted in Okarki, with a number of equipment used for illegalities demobilised.
Similarly, clearance operations were conducted at the fringes of Imo River with 6 illegal refining sites deactivated, 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers destroyed and 540 sacks filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Troops also thwarted several attempts by the economic saboteurs to re-establish their nefarious hubs at the fringes of the Imo River, with seizures as well as various newly constructed drum pots and receivers destroyed.
In Delta State, along Koko – Obitigbo road, troops intercepted canter truck, Ford bus and fuel tanker conveying over 25,200 litres of stolen products. Additionally, in a separate operation conducted, a fuel tanker conveying over 10,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted at Koko. In a related vein, around Oton – Urakpa area in Sapele LGA, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering camp located in a forest. Further exploitation in the forest led to the recovery of various items, including 100 cellophane bags filled with over 3,350 litres, one drum of illegally refined AGO and one big iron tank also filled with illegally refined AGO. Others included three empty drums, two ovens, a lengthy rubber hose and connected iron pipes spanning over a reasonable distance.
Relatedly, in Bayelsa State, around Biseni Community in Yenagoa LGA (YELGA), three illegal refining sites, with several refining facilities, with over 2,100 litres of stolen crude stocked in dugout pits were handled appropriately. At Okordia also in YELGA, an illegal refining site was deactivated with over 1,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, along Okobo – Uyo road in Okobo LGA, troops cumulatively intercepted 8 jerricans of 30 litres capacity each filled with AGO. All the suspects arrested have been handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution, while products were handled in line with extant operational mandate.
While commending the troops for their resilience, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has reassured the good people of the region of the enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive. The GOC has again warned criminal elements to desist from indulging in mindless economic sabotage or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.
