Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled a notorious gunrunning network and arrested 35 suspects in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing arms proliferation and oil theft across the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the crackdown followed weeks of intensive surveillance targeting syndicates known for trafficking Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) to criminal gangs operating across Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.
According to Danjuma, the operation led to the recovery of two English pistols, four locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barrel gun.
“The suspects, identified as Innocent Emiyemokumo Deidei, alias Sele Bobo, Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik, were apprehended at different times through well-coordinated intelligence-driven operations. They have been handed over, along with the recovered weapons, to the appropriate agency for prosecution,” he stated.
In a related development, troops intensified anti-oil theft operations between August 25 and September 7, recording significant gains across the region
Danjuma revealed that soldiers destroyed six illegal refining sites, confiscated over 14,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and arrested 35 suspects, including three identified gunrunners, oil thieves, and others involved in related crimes.
In Rivers State, two illegal refining sites were dismantled at the Kilometre 45 axis in Degema Local Government Area (LGA), where troops recovered 4,500 litres and 3,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
At Rumukpe, Emohua LGA, troops uncovered several dugout pits filled with crude oil. A suspect was arrested while attempting to package 1,800 litres of stolen crude into sacks.
Similarly, in Abacheke Community, near the Rivers/Imo boundary, troops seized 35 sacks containing 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO, along with a motorcycle and a mobile phone. One suspect was apprehended during the operation.
In Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, a white Mitsubishi Hilux truck conveying 12 sacks of stolen AGO was intercepted along the Kiri Omoku–Elele road. The driver fled into the bush upon sighting the soldiers.
In Delta State, troops discovered an illegal refining site at Ifie Community, Warri South LGA, where two large cooking pots and 35 sacks containing 1,050 litres of stolen AGO were recovered.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted a red mini bus with registration number ABK 398XA, loaded with 750 litres of stolen AGO concealed in 25 nylon bags at Ekparakwa Community, along the Ikot Abasi–Oruk Anam road.
Additionally, an illegal refining site was dismantled at Ukpom Community, Abak LGA, where 21 jerricans of stolen AGO, several empty jerricans, and storage drums were destroyed.
Danjuma added that troops in Bayelsa State continued to dominate waterways and hinterlands, maintaining a strong security presence to deny criminals freedom of action.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting national assets and restoring stability to the region.
"The 6 Division remains resolute in its efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure lasting peace in the Niger Delta,” Danjuma said.
The Nigerian Army also called on residents to support its operations by providing timely and credible information that will help security agencies tackle oil theft, gunrunning, and other crimes in the region.
