Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have smashed gunrunning syndicates and arrested 35 suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing arms trafficking and oil theft across the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement by Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, the operations uncovered syndicates notorious for trafficking Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) through Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.
Three suspected gunrunners—Innocent Emiyemokumo Deidei (alias Sele Bobo), Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik—were apprehended at different times. Troops recovered two English pistols, four locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barrelled gun, all of which have been handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
Between August 25 and September 7, troops also intensified anti-oil theft operations, destroying six illegal refining sites and confiscating more than 14,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. The crackdown led to the arrest of gunrunners, oil thieves, and other criminal elements engaged in illicit activities.
In Rivers State, troops deactivated illegal refining sites in Degema and Emohua LGAs, recovering over 9,000 litres of stolen crude and refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additional seizures included 35 sacks of AGO at Abacheke Community, a Mitsubishi Hilux truck laden with stolen fuel in Omoku, and multiple dugout pits containing crude oil.
Similar raids in Delta State uncovered illegal refining sites in Ifie Community, Warri South LGA, yielding 1,050 litres of stolen AGO. In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted a mini bus loaded with 750 litres of illegally refined products at Ekparakwa Community, while another refining site was destroyed at Ukpom Community in Abak LGA.
Troops maintained heightened patrols in Bayelsa State, dominating waterways and hinterlands to restrict criminal activities.
The Army emphasized that the successful operations highlight its determination to dismantle criminal networks, safeguard critical oil infrastructure, and ensure peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
