Crime
Troops deactivate illegal bunkering sites, arrest suspects, recover arms in Niger Delta
Troops deactivate illegal bunkering sites, arrest suspects, recover arms in Niger Delta
By: Michael Mike
• Army cracks down on oil theft and sabotage, seizes over 118,000 litres of stolen products
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
In a statement Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said over the past week, 11 suspects were arrested, more than 20 illegal bunkering sites were deactivated, and 22 boats used for criminal activities were intercepted.
He added that six firearms and cartridges were recovered, along with over 118,000 litres of stolen oil products.
He said in Rivers State, multiple operations were conducted, including the dismantling of four illegal refineries and the interception of 35,000 litres of stolen products in the Jigama-Bille area of Degema Local Government Area (LGA). Similarly, in Krakarma-Bille, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, seizing 14,000 litres of stolen automotive gas oil and 8,000 litres of crude oil. In the Orashi River area, 5,500 litres of condensate were recovered, and one suspect was arrested for pipeline vandalism near the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA.
Danjuma said in Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site in Nembe LGA, confiscating over 30,000 litres of stolen oil. In Southern Ijaw LGA, two active illegal refining sites were dismantled, and 4,500 litres of stolen products were seized. Additional operations in the Tobo, Obotoro, and Arugba Creeks recovered over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products and identified illegal pipeline connections near Idu Wellhead 4.
He said in Delta State also saw significant actions as troops intercepted a Lexus RX 350 carrying three suspects and recovered five pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, and 51 cartridges. The suspects have been handed over to security authorities for further investigation. In Warri South LGA, troops intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from an Opumami Oil Field wellhead. Several illegal refining sites were deactivated in Benneth Island, leading to the recovery of over 7,500 litres of stolen crude.
Danjuma said the troops also maintained heightened security patrols in Akwa Ibom State to prevent criminal activities in both hinterlands and waterways.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their efforts and vowed to sustain operations to safeguard national assets and infrastructure in the region.
Troops deactivate illegal bunkering sites, arrest suspects, recover arms in Niger Delta
Crime
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and supporting acts of terrorism.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Yilwa held that the growing menace of banditry and terrorism in the country had become a serious threat to national security and should not be handled with leniency.
The judge noted that although the convict appeared remorseful and pleaded for mercy, offences connected to terrorism and arms trafficking remained grave threats to the safety of citizens.
The court heard that the convict admitted serving as a courier for the transportation of ammunition intended for bandits operating in Plateau State.
During the trial, the first prosecution witness and DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, told the court that the accused was arrested on July 6, 2025, with 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition and N57,100 cash while allegedly transporting the items to armed bandits in Plateau.
According to Tahir, the defendant made a confessional statement in Hausa language at the DSS Plateau State Command, where she disclosed that one Alhaji Sani had sent her to Zaria in Kaduna State to procure the ammunition from another individual.
The witness further stated that the accused was later transferred to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on Aug. 11, 2025, where another interview was conducted in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.
He said the defendant again admitted ownership and transportation of the ammunition and cash exhibits.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the 302 rounds of ammunition, the cash sum of N57,100, and the defendant’s statements as exhibits before the court.
The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel, Hamza Dantani.
In open court, the defendant also admitted being in possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.
One of the charges stated that the convict knowingly rendered support for acts of terrorism by transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition between Katsina and Plateau States, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused her of unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendant of concealing information about suspected gunrunners and kidnappers allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Following her guilty plea and review of the evidence presented, Justice Yilwa convicted and sentenced the defendant to 20 years imprisonment.
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment (Army) deployed at Oando Oil Company in Omoku have uncovered a large cache of illegally refined crude oil concealed within the riverine area of Ebocha Egi LII in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 9:40 a.m. on May 13 during a routine patrol and surveillance operation in the area.
The troops reportedly recovered about 7,800 litres of suspected illegally refined crude oil, stored in 130 sacks and concealed along the riverine corridor.
According to the sources , the recovered products were handled in line with existing directives under Operation Delta Safe.
Military authorities stated that follow-up operations were ongoing to track down individuals and networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the region.
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 16 Brigade Garrison operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have intercepted a vehicle conveying about 400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Security sources said the interception occurred at about 3:10 p.m. on May 12, 2026, along the Oruma–Kolocreek road during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the area.
According to the sources, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the troops approaching the area.
The vehicle and the illegally refined petroleum products were subsequently handled in accordance with operational directives guiding Operation Delta Safe activities.
The military has sustained operations across the Niger Delta to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and related economic sabotage threatening the nation’s oil infrastructure.
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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