Military destroys 19 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 20 suspected oil thieves and the destruction of 19 illegal refining sites during recent operations across the Niger Delta region.

According to the Army, over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered during the operations.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.

Danjuma said the successes were recorded during a week-long operation conducted between May 19 and 25, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies across four states — Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.

The ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta Region are progressing with several successes recorded,” the statement read.

In Rivers State, operations around Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests in Abua/Odual LGA uncovered multiple illegal refining camps.

Troops dismantled several sites and recovered eight cooking ovens, massive storage facilities containing over 300,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil, seven reservoirs, six receivers, and a generator

Similarly, at the fringes of the Imo River, troops destroyed nine illegal refining sites, seizing 23 drum pots, 10 drum receivers, 321 sacks, and over 16,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

In Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, troops recovered 245 sacks containing approximately 12,500 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Another operation in Ogbonga Forest, Bonny LGA, led to the arrest of a suspect with a fibre hand-pulled boat, a 400-metre hose stained with crude oil, four spanners, a Techno T353 mobile phone, and other items.

In Delta State, illegal refining sites were dismantled at Jeddo in Okpe LGA, where over 1,000 litres of stolen products stored in polythene bags were seized.

In Ogbu Aladja, Warri South LGA, several sacks containing unquantified amounts of illegally refined AGO were also recovered.

In Bayelsa State, troops destroyed an illegal refining camp in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, which included four cooking ovens, drums, and receivers. Several litres of stolen products were also confiscated.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops continued to dominate the creeks, land, and waterways, effectively denying economic saboteurs freedom of operation.

All arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution, while the recovered products were managed in accordance with established operational procedures.

Speaking on the development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, reiterated the Army’s resolve to intensify efforts in identifying and dismantling other illegal refining sites across the region.

“We are committed to creating a safe environment where legitimate exploration activities can thrive,” Maj. Gen. Emekah stated.