Nigerian Troops Arrest 23 Oil Thieves, Recover 180,000 Litres of Stolen Crude
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 13 illegal refineries across the South-South, recovering over 180,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.
According to Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, operations in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states led to major seizures. In Rivers, troops uncovered over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in a forested area and dismantled a refinery with 28,000 litres of stolen crude in Obiafo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
At Peterside Community, Bonny LGA, an illegal refining site with three pots and over 10,000 litres of stolen products was destroyed, while two wooden boats carrying 3,000 litres of AGO were intercepted along the Obrikom-Omoku route.
In Akwa Ibom, troops seized a tanker loaded with nearly 40,000 litres of stolen products along the Itu-Calabar highway, arresting two suspects.
In Bayelsa, several illegal refining sites were raided around Biseni and Adibawa areas, recovering thousands of litres of AGO and crude oil, along with tools used for the illicit trade.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, GOC 6 Division, urged troops to sustain the crackdown on oil theft and called on residents to support security efforts by providing credible intelligence.
