By Admin 
****Our Troops Are Committed to Ending Oil Theft -Army
By Peter Onyekachukwu, P -HARCOURT
RIVERS: The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt has destroyed 32 illegal refineries and seized over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a joint security operation across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
The division’s Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying that the operation, conducted between January 6 and 12, 2025, led to the arrest of 15 suspected oil thieves.
Lt. Col. Jonah said the crackdown on illegal oil refining activities was part of efforts to combat economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region.
“In Rivers State, troops carried out operations in Bille, Degema Local Government Area, where seven illegal refining sites were destroyed, and over 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil were confiscated,” he said.
“Additionally, along the Imo River, 10 illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several drum pots destroyed and over 19,000 litres of stolen products recovered. In Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted three boats carrying over 12,000 litres of stolen crude, arresting three suspects at the scene.”
The army spokesperson also highlighted similar operations in Bayelsa State.
“At Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops discovered an illegal refining site and intercepted a wooden boat carrying over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. In Nembe LGA, at Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri, another illegal refining site was taken out, and stolen products were recovered.”
In Delta and Akwa Ibom states, he said the army maintained a strong security presence to prevent oil thieves from carrying out their criminal activities.
Lt. Col. Jonah confirmed that five suspects were apprehended in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where two illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered.
He added that all suspects had been handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their efforts in the ongoing operation and urged them to sustain the momentum.
“Our operations will continue to deny criminals freedom of action and ensure increased oil production. This will create a conducive environment for seamless exploration activities in the region,” Abdussalam said.
The military’s joint operations in the Niger Delta region are part of ongoing efforts to tackle oil theft and protect critical national assets from economic saboteurs.