The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has arrested 43 individuals and seized over 254,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during coordinated anti-oil theft operations across the Niger Delta.
Between March 31 and April 6, troops conducted raids in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States, dismantling illegal refineries and intercepting vehicles transporting stolen crude.
In Rivers, over 80,000 litres of crude were recovered in Ataba, while 3,200 litres were found in sacks near Ogale Junction, Eleme. In Delta, a bus carrying 90,000 litres of crude was seized in Sapele, along with several drums and a mini tanker in Ughelli North.
Bayelsa troops destroyed multiple refining sites in Yenagoa and Ekeremor, while similar operations in Akwa Ibom targeted refining camps.
Describing the raids as a “significant blow to the network of economic saboteurs,” Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah said, “the intensity of the operations is aimed at dislodging criminal elements and denying them freedom of action.”
GOC 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, praised the efforts, stating, “This onslaught will not only cripple the network of oil thieves but also ramp up oil and gas production for our nation’s economic prosperity.”
The Army vowed to sustain pressure, warning that the crackdown will continue until “these economic saboteurs are completely neutralized.”
