The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced the destruction of 31 illegal refineries, the arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, and the recovery of 212,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.
Additionally, the Army reported the demobilisation of 26 boats used for illegal activities during operations conducted between February 3 and 9.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, and shared with newsmen.
The statement read in part: “The fight against oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta region has yielded significant breakthroughs.
“A series of operations conducted led to the deactivation of 31 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 29 suspected oil thieves, the demobilization of 26 boats used for illicit activities, and the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the joint area of operations.
“These successes were recorded in joint operations carried out with other security agencies from February 3 to 9, 2025.”
Danjuma highlighted a decisive operation at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area of Rivers State, where troops dismantled ten illegal refining sites and confiscated 15 cooking pots, one heavy-duty generator, and two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“In addition, three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200-meter-long hose used for the illicit activity were recovered. The items were carefully concealed within a dense forest, making them difficult to detect from aerial surveillance.
“Furthermore, in the Oloma general area of Bonny Island LGA, three suspected oil thieves were apprehended with a wooden boat laden with over 10,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
“At Karakarma, four illegal refining sites were destroyed, along with four boats, and more than 9,600 litres of stolen crude were confiscated,” the statement added.
The Army also disclosed that in Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo, Obio Akpor LGA of Rivers State, four GP tanks containing over 9,500 litres of stolen crude disguised as a bakery were discovered and dismantled.
Further operations were conducted at Bille and Kumbufari Creeks in Degema LGA, where multiple illegal refining sites were destroyed, and three wooden boats and holding facilities were confiscated along with over 9,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Ebocha, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, an active illegal refining site was raided, leading to the seizure of a large metal oven drum, hoses, a reservoir containing over 6,000 litres of stolen products, and other equipment in line with the Army’s operational mandate. Additional seizures occurred at Omoku in ONELGA, Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA, Karakarma Community in Bille, Degema LGA, and along Cool Beach.
Similarly, in Delta State, a truck carrying over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen products was intercepted. At Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illegal activities were neutralized, with 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
At Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South South LGA, three active illegal refining sites were dismantled, and several holding facilities, along with over 3,000 litres of stolen products, were seized. Additional seizures were made at Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Ughoton, and Alele Communities, all in Warri South LGA.
In Bayelsa State, troops engaged suspected oil thieves in a gunfight, forcing the criminals to flee. A follow-up operation led to the recovery of over 12,000 litres of stolen crude and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Other confiscated items included seven wheelbarrows and a motorcycle. At Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses, and dugout pits containing over 5,800 litres of stolen crude and 200 litres of AGO seized.
Additionally, along the Biseni-Samabiri Road in Yenagoa LGA, troops recovered a Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks. In two separate residential buildings, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were discovered. The occupants fled upon sighting security forces, abandoning the vehicle and buildings.
In Akwa Ibom, the Army intercepted over 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 20 jerrycans containing 280 litres each in Oron LGA.
“The products were suspected to have been primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country via waterways,” the statement noted.
Speaking on the operation, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their achievements and urged them to maintain pressure on criminals.
He also warned individuals engaged in economic sabotage to abandon illegal activities and seek lawful means of livelihood or risk facing the full force of the law.
