By 9jaeye 
In a significant operation against oil theft in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has dismantled 13 illegal refining sites and neutralized two armed vandals involved in oil bunkering. The army also arrested 18 suspects and seized over 60,000 liters of stolen petroleum products.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the division, these actions stemmed from ongoing anti-bunkering operations aimed at curbing criminal activities in the region. Recent operations took place across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
Key highlights include a firefight with vandals near a Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline in Ahoada West, resulting in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and ammunition. In Degema LGA, four illegal sites were destroyed, yielding over 6,000 liters of stolen products. Additionally, troops intercepted two boats near Odagba village, seizing more than 5,000 liters of illicit oil.
In Ndoni, suspected oil thieves abandoned two vehicles loaded with about 1,700 liters of illegally refined petroleum. Ongoing surveillance led to further arrests near illegal connection points in Rivers State.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, commended the troops for their dedication and affirmed the army’s commitment to protecting vital infrastructure in the Niger Delta. All arrested suspects have been transferred to the relevant authorities for prosecution.