Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have thwarted attempts by oil thieves to revive illegal bunkering hubs in key parts of the Niger Delta, shutting down several artisanal refineries during renewed clearance operations.
The operation, carried out across the creeks and swamps of Rivers and Bayelsa states, targeted well-known sites used by criminal networks to siphon, refine, and distribute stolen crude oil.
According to a statement by Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the operation led to the dismantling of more than seven large artisanal cooking units, the destruction of numerous metal storage tanks, and the seizure of thousands of litres of illegally refined products, including automotive gas oil and dual-purpose kerosene.
The 6 Division stressed that the latest offensive focused on crippling the logistical and financial base of oil theft syndicates rather than merely making arrests. “Our commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economic lifeline remains unwavering,” the statement read. “These criminals are resourceful and often attempt to restart their operations quickly, but our troops have neutralised immediate threats and prevented the re-establishment of major bunkering hubs.”
The General Officer Commanding praised the troops for their swift response and proactive surveillance, which have been crucial in sustaining pressure on the oil theft networks. Intelligence reports revealed that the criminals often try to restart operations soon after raids, exploiting the challenging terrain and any operational gaps.
However, rapid surveillance interventions enabled troops to neutralise five key sites identified as potential revival points for illegal refining.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the campaign against crude oil theft, protecting vital national energy infrastructure, and mitigating the severe environmental damage caused by illicit refining.