In a recent operation in the Niger Delta, the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army apprehended 25 suspected oil thieves, including four members of the disbanded Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
During the operation, the team dismantled 23 illegal refining sites and confiscated 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, reinforcing their commitment to tackling oil theft and illegal refining in the region.
Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, confirmed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and distributed to journalists.
Danjuma added that the suspected IPOB members were apprehended in Oshimili LGA of Delta State during a series of operations conducted by military in the Niger Delta region between January 12 and 19, 2025.
The statement said, “Troops 6 Division have continued the push against economic sabotage and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) with several successes recorded.
“These operations led to the deactivation of 23 illegal artisanal refineries, the destruction of 14 boats, and the arrest of 25 oil thieves, including four suspected members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra in Delta State, with over 45,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“The operations were conducted across the joint operations area with other sister services from 12-19 January 2025.
“In Rivers State, the operations resulted in the impoundment of a truck conveying over 15,000 litres of stolen products along the East-West Road by Tank to Eneka in the Obia-Akpor Local Government Area.
“Around the Karakarma area in Degema LGA, troops deactivated seven illegal refining sites, impounded four fibre boats, and recovered over 12,000 litres of stolen products. Similarly, around Bille, also in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, three receivers, and three pots of different sizes stocked with over 2,400 stolen products were handled.
“Additionally, troops also made inroads into the Imo Riverside, where 13 illegal refining sites, 25 drum pots, 24 receivers and 6 metal containers were destroyed with over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Others include several empty gallons, four hollow pipes, motorcycles and a boat used for the heinous crime were taken out. At the Oga-Ama corridor in Buguma LGA, four boats and over 2,700 litres of stolen products were deactivated and recovered respectively.
“Troops also arrested a suspected tugboat and a barge around Finima in Bonny LGA. The barge was alleged to be carrying stolen Automotive Gas Oil. ”
It continued, “While, in Delta State, a sting operation was conducted, where troops arrested four suspected members of the proscribed IPOB at Power line Bonsac general area in Oshimili LGA.
“Several items were recovered from members of the irredentist group. This was in addition to several motorcycles intercepted while conveying stolen products around Abor Community Junction to Kwale in Ndokwa West LGA. Relatedly, along Yokri River in Burutu LGA, five dugout pits with unquantified quantities of stolen products were destroyed.”
The statement further revealed that in Bayelsa State, along the Okarki to Otuasega road in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted two Toyota Avalons with registration numbers AN AUG 964 TN and BY SAG 513 EA, both carrying an undisclosed amount of illegally refined AGO.
“The vehicles and products have been handled in line with the subsisting operational mandate.
“While in Akwa, troops maintain the requisite operational posture to ward off criminal elements,” the Army 6 Division spokesman stated.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, praised the troops’ determination and urged them to further ramp up their operational tempo.
Abdussalam also instructed them to ensure that criminal elements, particularly members of IPOB, do not gain any foothold in the Niger Delta.
