By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has paid an operational visit to the Imo River stretch, to have an on the spot assessment of the illegalities going on in that corridor.
According to press statement from the office of the Army Public Relations Officer APRO Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the visit, which was conducted on the 15 February 2025, saw the GOC traverse the entire Imo River stretch through the waterways and deep into the adjoining creeks and rivulets.
Major General Emekah visited illegal bunkering havens, around Afam, Obeama and Umuori Creek all in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers as well as Asa waterways in Abia State.
These places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities. During the visit, the GOC ordered all life supporting structures and several illegal refining sites be taken out in those identified sites. He enjoined the troops to comb the entire stretch, with the adjoining forests and ensure they destroy all illegal refining sites.
Meanwhile, troops in conjunction with other security agencies, have conducted several operations across the Niger Delta Region (NDR) from 10 – 16 February 2025. The well-coordinated operations, led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. This was in addition to other ancillary equipment destroyed at the sites.
In Rivers State, troops on routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000 litres capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, stealing crude along Trans Niger Pipeline 36 inches row. The criminals fled and abandoned the truck on sighting troops. Additionally, along Odagwa – Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), troops intercepted two wooden boats ladened with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude. While, around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites with over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stored in sacks with two hoses recovered. Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the crime.
Relatedly, following tip off about illegal activities around Karakarma in Degema LGA, troops intercepted three wooden boats with over 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
Other seizures were made at Kumufari and Ogbonma Forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA and Okobhio Forest in Degema LGA. Around Imo River, troops deactivated 19 illegal refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers with over 4,000 stolen products handled.
