Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have intensified their crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, shutting down multiple illegal bunkering hubs and destroying several artisanal refineries in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
The latest clearance operation, carried out across the region’s creeks and swamps, dismantled more than seven large illicit refining units, demolished numerous metal storage tanks, and seized thousands of litres of illegally refined petroleum products, including automotive gas oil and dual-purpose kerosene.
In a statement on Sunday, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, said the intervention was designed to cripple the financial networks of oil theft cartels rather than merely making arrests.
“Our commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic lifeline remains absolute,” the statement read. “These criminals attempt to rapidly restart their operations after raids, but our troops are resolved to neutralise such threats and prevent the re-emergence of major bunkering hubs.”
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The General Officer Commanding 6 Division commended the soldiers for their swift response and proactive surveillance efforts, which enabled them to track and neutralise five key sites identified as revival points for illegal refining activities.
Military intelligence suggests that oil thieves often exploit the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta to quickly resume operations after raids. However, the Army stressed that continuous surveillance and sustained operations would make it increasingly difficult for these networks to survive.
Reaffirming its commitment, the 6 Division pledged to sustain the tempo of operations against crude oil theft, safeguard critical national energy infrastructure, and mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal refining activities.