Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have dismantled 19 artisanal refineries, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 138,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Joint Operation Areas.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, several intelligence-led operations were conducted across multiple states. In Rivers State, troops intercepted a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of stolen crude along Apajo-Iwoji-Iwofe Road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the troops.
Further raids in Joinkrama 4 and Biseni, spanning Ahoada West in Rivers and Yenagoa in Bayelsa, led to the destruction of illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil.
In Delta State, security operatives intercepted an open truck with an inbuilt iron tank containing over 20,000 litres of stolen crude along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline in Masogar, Ethiope West LGA.
Additionally, in Akwa Ibom, along the Iko-Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon carrying over 1,620 litres of stolen petroleum products concealed in 54 cellophane bags was seized, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric-Emekah, has directed troops to intensify anti-crude oil theft operations to deny criminals freedom of action. He also urged residents to provide credible intelligence to security agencies to help combat oil-related crimes in the region.
