Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have dismantled 18 illegal refining sites, arrested 17 suspected oil thieves, neutralized 10 boats, and recovered over 25,000 liters of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, the military confirmed that these operations took place between February 17 and 23, 2025.
In Rivers State, the troops achieved significant results, particularly in the Kilometre 45 and Idama areas of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA). Here, two active illegal refining sites were destroyed, and three wooden boats carrying over 9,000 liters of stolen crude were intercepted. Additionally, in the Ogale Junction area along the Eket–Port Harcourt expressway, troops seized a truck loaded with over 3,000 liters of stolen crude.
At Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an illegal oil bunkering dump containing over 2,100 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in sacks was discovered, though the suspects fled upon seeing the troops. In the Ogaji-Ama axis of Bukuma, a wooden boat carrying over 1,000 liters of stolen crude was intercepted in the creeks. Further clearance operations at Imo River resulted in the destruction of two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, and 14 drum receivers, with over 2,000 liters of stolen crude confiscated.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled three illegal refining sites in Clough Creek, Ekeremor LGA, recovering a pumping machine, over 3,500 liters of stolen crude, and neutralizing two wooden boats. A similar operation in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, resulted in the deactivation of another illegal refining site and the recovery of over 2,000 liters of stolen crude.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry, registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE, at Oton Village, Sapele LGA, transporting 16 cellophane bags containing an undisclosed amount of illegally refined AGO. This led to the arrest of six suspected oil thieves. Additionally, along the Ughelli–Patani expressway, troops intercepted a tricycle carrying several sacks of illegally refined petroleum products.
