Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army have dismantled 21 illegal refining sites, arrested 36 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 591,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
The army, in a statement, said that troops operating in synergy with other security agencies recorded significant successes between April 28 and May 11, 2025, in the ongoing crackdown on oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations led to remarkable achievements, including the discovery of large-scale illegal bunkering hubs.
In Rivers State, Danjuma noted that troops discovered and traced a hose spanning over 15 kilometres, connected to an illegal loading point in the Orashi Game Reserve/Okolomade area of Abua/Odual Local Council.
The troops also destroyed five illegal refining sites, including a large metal tank containing over 350,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO). Additionally, a large oven and a massive dugout filled with over 100,000 litres of stolen crude were handled in line with their operational mandate. Several items, including a pumping machine, borehole, electric cables, and sockets, were recovered at the scene.
In other operations, Danjuma reported that troops destroyed seven illegal refining sites and confiscated 1,428 bags of stolen products, estimated to contain over 21,500 litres of crude oil, at the fringes of the notorious Imo River. Five boats used for the illicit venture were demobilised, while 38 drum pots and 15 drum receivers were destroyed.
The troops also intercepted a truck with registration number EFR 302 XA at Elelenwa, Eleme Local Council, loaded with 20,000 litres of stolen products.
The troops also intercepted a truck with registration number EFR 302 XA at Elelenwa, Eleme Local Council, loaded with 20,000 litres of stolen products.
At Otokolomabie and Coconut Estate in Bonny Local Government Area, a Pureputt boat hidden in the creeks was discovered, containing over 10,000 litres of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops intercepted a DAF XF380 tanker truck with registration number ABM 210 XA, loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen AGO. Three suspected oil thieves were apprehended with the truck. Additionally, a wooden boat containing over 1,000 litres of stolen crude was discovered concealed in a creek between Oyeregbene and Babragbene communities in Southern Ijaw Local Council.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number DAM 97 XA, suspected of conveying over 16,500 litres of stolen crude, at Ring Road 2 in Uyo Local Council. The driver of the vehicle fled, leaving the engine running, on sighting the troops.
In Delta State, troops pursued and intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles with registration numbers WWR 542 AJ and GB JI 70 AA at Ada-Inri Community. The vehicles were found loaded with over 1,250 litres of illegally refined AGO. Also, in the Egbokodo area of Warri South Local Council, 38 sacks filled with over 1,175 litres of stolen crude, hidden in the bush, were recovered.
