Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have stepped up their crackdown on oil theft and arms trafficking in the Niger Delta, achieving major successes in Rivers State.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, announced that operations between 25 August and 7 September resulted in the arrest of 35 suspects, the destruction of six illegal refining sites, and the seizure of more than 14,000 litres of stolen products.
At Kilometre 45 in Degema Local Government Area, troops dismantled two illegal refining sites, recovering 4,500 litres and 3,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
In Emohua, soldiers uncovered dugout pits filled with crude oil and arrested a suspect who was attempting to pack 1,800 litres of stolen crude into sacks.
Near Abacheke, on the Rivers–Imo border, troops seized 35 sacks containing 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO. In Omoku, they intercepted a Mitsubishi Hilux loaded with 12 sacks of AGO, though the driver fled.
The operations extended beyond Rivers State. In Delta State’s Warri South Local Government Area, troops discovered an illegal refining site holding 1,050 litres of stolen AGO. In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted a red minibus carrying 750 litres of AGO in Oruk Anam, while in Abak, they destroyed 21 jerricans and several drums at another site. In Bayelsa, troops maintained dominance over waterways and hinterlands, frustrating criminal activity.
Troops also dismantled a gunrunning network that trafficked small arms and light weapons across the Niger Delta. Intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of Innocent Emiyemokumo Deidei (alias Sele Bobo), Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik. Recovered weapons included two English pistols, four locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barrelled gun.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma described the mission as a major success, highlighting “the arrest of 35 criminals, the destruction of six illegal refining sites, and the confiscation of over 14,000 litres of stolen products.” He confirmed that all suspects and weapons had been handed to relevant agencies for prosecution and stressed the Army’s commitment to denying criminals freedom of action in the Niger Delta.