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OIL THEFT: ECONOMIC SABOTEURS DENIED FREEDOM OF ACTION TO ESTABLISH NEW ILLEGAL BUNKERING SITES
OIL THEFT: ECONOMIC SABOTEURS DENIED FREEDOM OF ACTION TO ESTABLISH NEW ILLEGAL BUNKERING SITES
By: Our Reporter
The ongoing anti illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) has ostensibly shown considerable level of progress. The operations, which were conducted from 9-15 December 2024, resulted in the deactivation of 42 illegal refining sites, arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and confiscation of 197,000 litres of stolen products. This was also in addition to the demobilization of 32 boats, 12 vehicles and eight motorcycles used for economic sabotage in the NDR.
Troops conducted several operations in Bayelsa State. Around Biseni Forest in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), four newly established illegal refining sites were deactivated with about 37,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. This feat was also replicated at Benkrukru, around Oando Wellhead in Okordia Forest also in Yenagoa LGA, where newly established illegal refining sites with about 29,900 and 2,000 illegally refined crude and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), respectively were recovered. Relatedly, at Olukama and Sabasuo areas in Nembe LGA, an Illegal refining site, with a wooden boat ladened with over 5,000 litres of water stolen crude were handled appropriately. While, at Igbomotoru Creek in Southern Ijaw, a wooden boat hidden inside the Creek with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was recovered.
Similarly, operations were conducted in Rivers State, which spurred successes. Around Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, three illegal refining sites, one wooden and five fibre boats were intercepted with over 30,000 litres of stolen crude. In a similar vein, at Bille in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, two wooden boats with about 4,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered. Along the Imo River, 13 illegal refining sites, 73 drum pots, 40 drum receivers, eleven metal container receivers as well as over 28,500 litres of stolen products were handled. Seizures were also made along Elele-Omoku road, Obiafo, Ododa and Ogbogolo Communities in Abual/Odual LGA, Alesa in Eleme LGA, Odagwa – Imo River in Etche LGA and Coconut Estate in Bonny Island LGA, amongst several other localities.
In Delta State, at Aronwon Community in Warri North LGA, one active illegal refining site with five ovens, one boat and about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO. Troops also intercepted three tanker trucks loaded with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO within the premises of Pig Parker Filling Station along refinery road in Uvwie LGA. Five suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection to the products.
While commending troops for sustaining the tempo, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam reassured that the ongoing operations would be sustained. This he reiterated, is aimed at achieving the target set for December 2024.
OIL THEFT: ECONOMIC SABOTEURS DENIED FREEDOM OF ACTION TO ESTABLISH NEW ILLEGAL BUNKERING SITES
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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