Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have dismantled 18 illegal refining sites, arrested 17 suspected oil thieves, demobilized 10 boats, and recovered over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta Region.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, the military confirmed that the troop achieved this in a series of operations conducted from 17 to 23 February 2025.
According to the statement, in Rivers State, troops recorded significant operational successes, particularly around Kilometre 45, Idama general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), where they destroyed two active illegal refining sites and intercepted three wooden boats carrying over 9,000 litres of stolen crude.
It further noted that at Ogale Junction along the Eket–Port Harcourt expressway, troops impounded a truck loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.
The statement added that at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering dump containing over 2,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in sacks.
It explained that the suspected oil thieves fled upon sighting the troops. At the Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma, a wooden boat laden with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted within the creeks.
Additionally, during clearance operations at Imo River, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and confiscated over 2,000 litres of stolen crude.
The statement further revealed that in Bayelsa State, troops dismantled three illegal refining sites at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, recovering one pumping machine, over 3,500 litres of stolen crude, and demobilizing two wooden boats.
A similar operation at Biseni in Yenagoa LGA led to the deactivation of another illegal refining site and the recovery of over 2,000 litres of stolen crude.
In Delta State, the statement disclosed that troops intercepted a Toyota Camry with registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE at Oton Village in Sapele LGA.
The vehicle was reportedly transporting 16 cellophane bags containing an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, leading 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.
Quoting the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the statement said, “Troops must sustain the operational momentum to ensure that economic saboteurs are denied the freedom to operate in the Niger Delta Region. Our efforts will remain relentless in combating illegal bunkering and crude oil theft.”
