Troops of the 6 Division, in partnership with other security agencies, have made significant strides in the fight against oil theft, dismantling 37 illegal refining sites, seizing six boats, arresting ten suspected oil thieves, and recovering over 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
These accomplishments were achieved during separate operations conducted between December 16 and 22, 2024, according to a statement from the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Danjuma Danjuma.
Danjuma reported that in Obiafu, located in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, troops destroyed a cluster of nine illegal refining sites, which included 176 cooking drums, several pumping machines, and makeshift dumps stocked with over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
These included approximately 50,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 5,000 litres of illicitly refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 6,250 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). Four suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operation.
In Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites and a large boat were dismantled, leading to the recovery of over 24,000 litres of stolen products. Meanwhile, in Bille and Bakana, located in Degema LGA, three illegal refining sites and three boats—two wooden and one fibre—were intercepted. Over 16,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined DPK were seized from these sites.
In Ozorchi Forest, Abua/Odual LGA, four illegal refining sites containing over 10,000 litres of stolen products were also neutralized.
Similar successes were achieved along the Imo River, where eight illegal refining sites were destroyed, along with 50 drum pots, 65 metal container receivers, and over 5,000 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site at Kunsho Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA, seizing 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Another operation at Kumbo 4 Flow Line in Ekeremor LGA thwarted an attempt to sabotage a Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline, with vandals fleeing the scene and abandoning 18-inch pipes and three gas cylinders.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a tanker truck linked to Platform Petroleum Limited’s pipeline at Obiukwole in Ethiope East LGA. A blue hose connecting the pipeline to the tanker truck was discovered, and four suspects were arrested. In Akwa Ibom, troops maintained a strong presence in the hinterlands and waterways to deter criminal activities.
The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their achievements and encouraged them to maintain the offensive against oil thieves. He emphasized that criminal elements would not be allowed any freedom of action in the region, according to the statement.
