
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division troops have destroyed 32 illegal refineries, arrested 15 suspected oil thieves, and recovered more than 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.
The operations, carried out in partnership with other security agencies, took place from January 6 to 12, 2025, across several states in the region.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, confirmed this in a statement issued Sunday night.
The statement revealed that troops conducted raids in Degema Local Government Area, uncovering seven illegal refining sites around the Bille general area.
The statement read in part, “Troops of 6 Division with other security agencies have scaled up the operational momentum.
“These efforts resulted in the destruction of 32 artisanal refineries, deactivation of 14 boats used for criminality, arrest of 15 oil thieves, and the recovery of over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
The operations were conducted from 6 – 12 January 2025, across the joint operations area.”
In a separate operation along the Imo River stretch, 10 illegal refining sites were dismantled.
Troops destroyed drum pots and receivers, recovering over 19,000 litres of stolen products.
The operations also covered Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, and Oyigbo.
In Odagwa, Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted three boats filled with more than 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and apprehended three individuals involved in the illegal operation.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an illegal refining site was shut down, where authorities discovered a reservoir holding more than 1,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and sacks containing over 1,600 litres of crude oil.
Meanwhile, on Ndoni Road, a Toyota bus (registration number URU 808 XA) was stopped, carrying 18 sacks of stolen condensates, estimated to total over 1,200 litres.
In the Buguma area of Asari-Toru LGA, two illegal refining sites were shut down, and a small wooden boat carrying 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil was seized. Five suspects were arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illegal refining site at Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA and intercepted a wooden boat transporting over 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
Further operations at Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri in Nembe LGA resulted in the shutdown of another illegal refining site and the recovery of an undisclosed amount of stolen products.
Troops in Delta and Akwa Ibom states maintained a robust presence to counter the activities of economic saboteurs and other criminals operating in the region.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division, lauded the troops’ efforts to combat oil theft and sabotage.
He urged them to keep the momentum going in order to improve oil production and create a favourable climate for smooth exploration activities.
Abdussalam reaffirmed the Army’s dedication to preventing criminals from operating freely in the region, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s economic resources.
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