Troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, have destroyed 21 illegal refineries, arrested 36 suspects and recovered 591,000 litres of stolen product in the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
He said the feat followed an operation conducted in collaboration with other security agencies in Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.
Danjuma said the operation was carried out at various times in the states from April 28 to May 11, 2025, saying the ongoing crackdown against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region yielded significant operational successes.
The statement read, “In various operations conducted between 28 April and 11 May 2025, troops in operational synergy with other security agencies successfully dismantled 21 illegal refining sites, arrested 36 suspected oil thieves and confiscated over 591,000 litres of stolen products across the region.
“In Rivers State, several operations were conducted with remarkable achievements recorded.
“This was evident around Orashi Game Reserve/Okolomade area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where troops discovered and traced a hose, which spanned over 15 kilometres, connected to an illegal loading point.
“In a follow-up operation, five illegal refining sites with a large metal tank loaded with over 350,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil were handled in line with the subsisting operational mandate.”
It added, “These were in addition to a large ovens, with a massive dugout, filled with over 100,000 litres of stolen crude handled appropriately.
“Several items, including a pumping machine, borehole, electric cables and sockets were recovered at the scene.”
The statement further stated that troops destroyed seven illegal refining sites at the fringes of the Imo River, confiscated 1,428 bags of stolen products estimated to be over 21,500 litres of crude, and demobilised five boats used for the illicit venture, with 38 drum pots and fifteen drum receivers destroyed.
Danjuma said in similar operations in Rivers State, troops intercepted a truck with registration number EFR 302 XA at Elelenwa, Eleme Local Government Area, loaded with 20,000 litres of stolen products.
The statement continued, “In Otokolomabie and Coconut Estate in Bonny LG, following local intelligence, troops discovered a boat hidden in the creeks, filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products.
“Relatedly, at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LG, an illegal refining site, consisting of an oven, receiver waste pit and a 50 metres long hose were destroyed.”
In Bayelsa State, the Division 6 army spokesman said troops intercepted a DAF XF380 tanker truck with registration number ABM 210 XA loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen AGO, adding that three suspected oil thieves were apprehended.
“Likewise, in a creek between Oyeregbene and Babragbene communities in Southern Ijaw LG, a wooden boat loaded with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was concealed in the creek,” the statement said
In Akwa Ibom State, the army said, acting on credible intelligence, troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number DAM 97 XA, suspected to be conveying over 16,500 litres of stolen crude at Ring Road 2 in Uyo LG.
“The driver of the vehicle left the engine running and fled on sighting troops,” it stated.
In Delta State, the army said around Ovrogbor waterside in Isoko South LG, troops pursued two Toyota Camry vehicles with registration numbers WWR 542 AJ and GBJ 170 AA.
According to the statement, “The vehicles were intercepted at the Ada-Inri community. It was discovered to have been loaded with over 1,250 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“At Egbokodo general area in Warri South LG, 38 sacks filled with over 1,175 litres of stolen crude were hidden in the bush.
“Troops in snap checks at Koka general area in Oshimili South LG intercepted a Honda vehicle with registration number AAA 289 BM.
“In a thorough search conducted on the vehicle, two locally fabricated pistols, a cutlass, cartridges and a sum of twenty-five thousand one hundred (N25,100.00) only were recovered.”
The statement added that all arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution, while seizures were handled in line with the operational mandate.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Emmanuel Emekah, has continued his operational tour to locations across the Niger Delta region.
These visits, according to the statement, had redefined operational engagements and boosted troops’ morale in sustaining the onslaught against economic saboteurs and associated crimes in the region.
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