Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have dealt a significant blow to economic saboteurs arresting several wooden boats, and over 40 illegal refining sites destroyed. Additionally another 180,000 liters of illegally refined products were confiscated in the Niger Delta region.
According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations at the 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations, conducted in conjunction with other security agencies, aimed to deny criminal elements freedom of action and disrupt the illicit crude oil trade.
The crackdown he said, resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products, including automotive gas oil.
Notable successes were recorded in Okrika LGA, where troops destroyed six illegal refining sites, confiscated over 45,000 liters of illegal crude oil, and recovered various equipment and materials. Similar operations in Degema LGA and Bayelsa State yielded significant seizures, including arrested wooden boats and fibre boats containing stolen crude.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck carrying 33,000 liters of illegally refined products and destroyed an active illegal refining site containing stolen crude.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their operational exploits and urged them to sustain the pressure against economic saboteurs as the operation progresses.
The Nigerian Army’s efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta region are ongoing, with a focus on protecting the country’s economic interests and ensuring security in the area.