Soldiers arrest 28 suspected oil thieves in N’Delta

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had said its troops arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 46 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

The Army said during the operation, which ran between November 11 and 17, 2024, in conjunction with other security agencies, 47 boats were seized while 95,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Danjuma Jonah disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Jonah said the feat followed a scale-up of ongoing anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta region, pointing out that the latest raids were carried out in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.

The statement read, “In the latest achievements, troops recovered arms and ammunition, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain, arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“In Rivers State, following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, New base in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, troops swiftly mobilised to the area. On reaching the spot, troops encountered armed vandals, who opened fire on the troops. In the firefight that ensued, the criminals who were overwhelmed by superior fire, fled in disarray.