Army destroys 21 illegal refineries, arrests 11 suspects in Niger Delta
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced the destruction of 21 illegal oil refining sites, the arrest of 11 suspected oil thieves, and the recovery of 190,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta.
The Army stated that these achievements were the result of intensified operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, aimed at dismantling the network of criminal enterprises run by oil thieves in the region.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday evening.
The statement read, “In operations carried out across the joint operations area, 21 illegal refining sites were destroyed, 11 suspected oil thieves were arrested, 31 boats used for transporting stolen products were destroyed, and seven vehicles were intercepted with over 190,000 litres of stolen products recovered. The operations were conducted between 30th December 2024 and 5th January 2025.
“In a targeted operation around the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru, within the Okordia general area in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, four oil sewages containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude were discovered. Additionally, one suction machine and around 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), packed in sacks, were recovered.
“Likewise, in the Amalaghakiri general area in Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State, two illegal refining sites were dismantled, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products confiscated. At Oyeregbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was destroyed, and over 1,500 litres of stolen products were seized.”
The statement continued: “In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops moved in on oil thieves who fled in disarray upon sighting the soldiers. Subsequent operations revealed an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline near Ebocha, with four boats laden with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered. At the Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and dugout pits containing over 8,000 litres of stolen products were neutralised.
“At Mgbede, four illegal refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally made ovens, and several tanks containing over 31,000 litres of stolen products were recovered. “At the fringes of the Imo River, over 13,000 litres of stolen products were recovered, and two illegal refining sites were destroyed. In addition, 32 drum pots, 21 drum receivers, two pumping machines, and several other items were seized and neutralised around Ozaa West, Obuzor, and Okoloma areas.”
In Delta State, the 6 Division spokesperson noted that troops on routine patrol along the Pan Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline in Ivade, Ethiope West LGA, intercepted vehicles involved in illicit activities.
“Two J5 Boxer vehicles with registration numbers AB 5980 J and Delta BKW 593 XA, containing over 7,500 litres of stolen products packed in 150 cellophane bags, were intercepted.
“Additionally, approximately 2,500 litres of crude oil were recovered at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South LGA. Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eight drums, each containing 280 litres of premium motor spirit (petrol), totalling 2,240 litres, at Ibaka Beach.”
Danjuma added that the intercepted products were believed to have been intended for smuggling to a neighbouring country.
Speaking on the operations, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their resiliene and urged them to redouble their efforts.
Major General Abdussalam emphasised that the ongoing crackdown on oil theft and illegal refining activities would create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive unhindered in the region.
