Army Destroys 14 Illegal Refineries, Apprehends 14 Suspects in Niger Delta Region
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against oil thieves in the Niger Delta, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects and the destruction of several illegal refining sites.
The coordinated operations, conducted between October 20 and November 9, 2025, resulted in the dismantling of 14 illegal refining hubs and the recovery of more than 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Abia States.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, troops deactivated six illegal refining sites along the fringes of the Imo River in Rivers State. The operations led to the destruction of 14 drum pots, nine drum receivers, and the seizure of over 8,000 litres of stolen products in Asa, Okonta, and Okoloma communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, as well as Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
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Additional recoveries were made around the abandoned Wellhead 3 near the remote manifold axis, where troops seized 42 sacks containing about 1,250 litres of stolen crude oil. Other operations around Ozochi Community in Ahoada East LGA and Angalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA also yielded significant results.
In Delta State, troops arrested three suspected oil thieves at Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA and impounded a J5 bus and a motorcycle used for conveying stolen crude. Over 4,000 litres of condensate were recovered during the operation. Similarly, at Bipoko Community in Warri South LGA, an active illegal refining site was uncovered, with troops seizing a cooking oven and 38 sacks containing more than 1,140 litres of stolen crude oil.
Troops in Akwa Ibom State, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a truck transloading Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from an underground storage facility at Olive Field Filling Station along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road in Ikot Ekpene LGA. The vehicle was found to be carrying 3,287 litres of illegally refined AGO.
In Bayelsa State, the army also sustained raids on illegal refining activities and other acts of economic sabotage. All suspects and confiscated items were handled in accordance with the operational mandate of the 6 Division.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their professionalism and the successes recorded during the operations. He urged them to maintain the tempo in the ongoing campaign against oil theft and related criminal activities in the region.
By PRNigeria
