Troops from the Nigerian Army's 6 Division have recovered approximately 156,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at N250 million during a 25-day operation across the Niger Delta. The recovered products include over 130,000 litres of crude oil and 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). The operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the arrest of nine suspects.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the 6 Division, disclosed the details at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Sunday. He stated that ten illegal refining sites were dismantled and equipment destroyed during the raids. In Rivers State, troops found an abandoned truck carrying stolen crude oil along the East-West Road in Ahoada, and a reservoir with over 26,000 litres of adulterated diesel.
At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, 266 sacks containing crude oil were seized. Operations in Abessa Forest and Abua/Odual LGA resulted in the destruction of more illegal refining equipment. In Delta State, a crude oil tapping point and storage pit were uncovered in Ethiope LGA. In Akwa Ibom, 45 bags of illegally refined diesel were recovered, though suspects fled before arrest.
Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to continue combating economic sabotage.
The military reports recovering N250 million in stolen fuel yet only nine suspects were arrested across multiple states over 25 days. If the scale of theft requires such extensive operations for minimal arrests, the impact on actual deterrence is questionable. Nigerians in host communities continue bearing the environmental and security costs of oil theft without seeing proportional enforcement outcomes. The gap between recovered value and apprehended individuals suggests the network remains largely intact.
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