By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has dismantled a notorious gunrunning syndicate and recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing operations against oil theft across the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
In a statement issued on September 8, 2025, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of 35 suspects and the recovery of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs).
According to him, troops intercepted two English pistols, four locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barreled gun, believed to be destined for criminal elements across the region. The gunrunners, identified as Innocent Emiyokumo Deidei (aka Sele Bobo), Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik, were apprehended at different times during coordinated operations spanning Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states.
“The suspects and arms recovered were handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution. This development underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to combating the proliferation of illicit arms and ensuring that those involved in such activities are brought to justice,” Danjuma said.
Between August 25 and September 7, 2025, troops of 6 Division also intensified their crackdown on illegal oil bunkering, destroying six refining sites, arresting 35 suspects, and seizing over 14,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.
In Rivers State, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites around Kilometre 45 in Degema LGA, recovering 4,500 litres of stolen crude and 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Around Rumukpe in Emohua LGA, a suspect was caught attempting to bag 1,800 litres of crude from dugout pits. At Abacheke Community near the Rivers–Imo boundary, soldiers seized 35 sacks containing over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO, along with a motorcycle and a mobile phone.
Elsewhere in Rivers, troops intercepted a white Mitsubishi Hilux truck conveying 12 sacks of stolen AGO along the Kiri Omoku–Elele road in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.
In Delta State, soldiers uncovered another illegal refining site in Ifie Community, Warri South LGA, seizing 1,050 litres of stolen AGO. In Akwa Ibom, a red minibus carrying 750 litres of AGO was intercepted along the Ikot Abasi–Oruk Anam road, while troops destroyed 21 jerricans of stolen products at Ukpom Community in Abak LGA.
Troops also maintained a strong presence in Bayelsa State, patrolling waterways and hinterlands to deny oil thieves freedom of action.
Lt. Col. Danjuma reaffirmed that the 6 Division remains committed to curbing arms proliferation and illegal oil activities, stressing that both undermine peace and security in the Niger Delta.
