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. In a statement by Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Nigerian Army Public Relations, Lt. Col JONAH DANJUMA, 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. The feats were recorded by the troops of the Division from 7 – 13 April 2025 in conjunction with other security agencies.
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 the Joinkrama 4 Forest in the 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 an 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-up operation 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.
Also Read: Troops Arrest 43 Suspects, Seize Over 254,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Niger Delta Raid
Similarly, clearance operations were conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, with 6 illegal refining sites deactivated, 41 drum pots and 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 a canter truck, Ford bus, and fuel tanker conveying over 25,200 litres of stolen products. Additionally, a separate operation conducted intercepted a fuel tanker conveying over 10,000 litres of stolen crude at Koko. In a related vein, around the 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, as well as in YELGA, an illegal refining site was deactivated, and over 1,500 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, along Okobo-Uyo road in Okobo LGA, troops cumulatively intercepted 8 jerricans of 30-liter 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 the 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.
