Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have dismantled several illegal refining sites and arrested 50 suspected oil thieves during a major crackdown across the Niger Delta, with a strong focus on Rivers State.
The operations, which ran from June 30 to July 13,2025, also led to the seizure of over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the uncovering of numerous illegal pipeline connection points.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
In Rivers State, troops intensified their efforts to prevent the resurgence of illegal bunkering activities, particularly along the Imo River axis. They dismantled seven illegal refining sites around Obuzor and Ozaa West, covering Ukwa West LGA in Abia State and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA in Rivers State.
The soldiers destroyed 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and three large coolants, recovering over 6,000 litres of crude oil in the process.
At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops destroyed another illegal refining site, where they uncovered dugout pits containing 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,000 litres of crude oil.
They also seized over 3,000 litres of chemicals used for refining, 14 metal drums, five sacks containing more than 250 litres of refined products, and a 300-metre plastic hose. Troops arrested three suspects at the location.
Similar operations in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, led to the destruction of additional illegal storage points.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a speedboat and a locally-made wooden boat along the Jeddo waterways in Warri South LGA. The boats contained 86 sacks filled with approximately 1,720 litres of stolen petroleum products.
At Obiaruku in Ukwuani LGA, soldiers discovered 24 jerricans of 25 litres each, filled with illegally refined AGO. Another wooden boat loaded with stolen oil products was seized at Ugbokodo Creek in Warri South.
In Bayelsa State, troops intensified surveillance efforts and seized a wheelbarrow and a 70-kg gas cylinder suspected to be intended for pipeline sabotage at Ikarama in Yenagoa LGA. They also recovered several litres of stolen oil at Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw LGA and arrested suspects at the scene.
In Akwa Ibom State, a raid on a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA uncovered 15 jerricans of illegally refined AGO.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonah reaffirmed that troops of the 6 Division would continue to dominate both land and waterways to prevent oil thieves and criminals from operating freely.
He added that the continued operations highlight the army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and restoring order to the Niger Delta.