By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued eight civilians abducted along the Ikang–Cameroon waterways and arrested 19 suspected oil thieves in separate operations across the Niger Delta.
Soldiers of the 13 Brigade, operating from the Forward Operating Base in Ikang, rescued the victims after acting on credible intelligence from local communities. The victims—six adults and two minors—were kidnapped on December 29, 2025, when suspected militants intercepted a commercial boat.
Overwhelmed by the swift military response, the kidnappers abandoned the victims at the Ini-Abasi Fishing Port and fled into the creeks. All eight were recovered unharmed.
Commending the troops, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General PO Alimikhena, praised their professionalism and thanked community members for timely intelligence, assuring continued aggressive patrols in the area.
Meanwhile, troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army arrested 19 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 22 illegal refining sites between November 23 and December 28, 2025. Over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at more than ₦150 million were recovered across Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
Significant seizures included large volumes of stolen crude and refined products, illegal refining equipment, trucks, boats, and warehouses used for oil theft. Several suspects were arrested during the operations.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops and urged them to sustain the crackdown, while appealing to residents to support security agencies in protecting critical national infrastructure.
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