Troops Dismantle 18 Illegal Bunkering Sites, Arrest 17 Suspected Oil Thieves

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in several operations conducted from 17 – 23 February 2025, have effectively dismantled Eighteen illegal refining and arrested seventeen suspected oil thieves, while ten boats demobilised, with the recovery of over 25,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta Region (NDR). 

In operations conducted within Rivers State, particularly around Kilometre 45, Idama general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), troops recorded significant operational milestones. These included the destruction of two active illegal refining sites, with the interception of three wooden boats loaded with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude. At Ogale junction, along Eket – Port Harcourt expressway, troops impounded a truck loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude. 

While at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering dump with over 2,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stocked in sacks. The suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops. At Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma, a wooden boat ladened with over 1,000 stolen crude was intercepted inside the Creek. During clearance operations at Imo River, two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, 14 drum receivers were destroyed, with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated.

While in Bayelsa State, at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, Danjuma said three illegal refining sites were dismantled, one pumping machine, with over 3,500 litres of crude were recovered, as well as two wooden boats demobilised. 

Also, he added that operation was conducted around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, where troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

In a related vein in Delta State, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry with Registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE, conveying 16 cellophane bags with unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Oton Village in Sapele LGA. In a follow up operations, Six suspected oil thieves were arrested. Also, along Ughelli – Patani expressway, a tricycle conveying several sacks of illegally refined products was intercepted by the troops. 

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah commended the troops and charged them to sustain the operational tempo. This, he maintained will deny economic saboteurs any freedom to carry out their nefarious activities in the NDR

Troops Dismantle 18 Illegal Bunkering Sites, Arrest 17 Suspected Oil Thieves is first published on The Whistler Newspaper