Troops destroy 11 illegal refineries, arrest 50 in Niger Delta

Troops of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, have destroyed 11 illegal refineries and arrested 50 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta.

Also, the army said during the operation, it confiscated 25,000 litres of stolen products as well as the discovery of several illegal connection points used to siphon oil.

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Danjuma said the special operation was conducted in four states of the Niger Delta region.

The statement read, “The latest operations led to the dismantling of 11 illegal refining sites, arresting of 50 suspected oil thieves, confiscating 25,000 litres of stolen products, and the discovery of several compromised illegal connection points.

“The operations were conducted at different fronts with other security agencies between 30 June and 13 July 2025.”

The army said “In the operations that ensued in Rivers State, troops sustained the clampdown on attempts to re-establish new illegal bunkering hubs, including dismantling existing camps.

Several clearance operations were conducted along the Imo River, with seven illegal refining sites, 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, three big coolants destroyed, and over 6,000 litres of crude oil recovered.

“These recoveries were made around Obuzor and Ozaa West in Ukwa West and Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia and Rivers States respectively.

“At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled, with dugout pits filled with 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,000 litres of crude oil handled in line with operational mandate.”

It continued, “Additionally, a reservoir stocked with over 3,000 litres of chemicals used for the criminal venture, and five sacks containing 100 and 150 litres of stolen AGO and DPK respectively were recovered.

“This was in addition to three suspected oil thieves apprehended, a 300-metre plastic hose, and 14 metal drums handled appropriately. There were also seizures around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, with numerous holding facilities dismantled.

“In Delta State, along Jeddo waterways in Warri South LGA, one speedboat and a locally made wooden boat, both loaded with 86 sacks containing over 1,720 litres of stolen products, were deactivated.”

The Army 6 Division spokesman further disclosed that “Troops also raided a store at the Obiaruku Community in Ukwuani LGA and discovered 24 jerricans of 25 litres filled with illegally refined AGO.

At the creek along Ugbokodo, also in Warri South LGA, a locally made wooden boat stocked with stolen products was intercepted by the troops.”

Similarly in Bayelsa State, Lt Col Danjuma said the troops made determined efforts to curtail the activities of oil thieves.

“This led to the seizure of a wheelbarrow and a 70-kg gas cylinder at Ikarama in Yenagoa LG. The ancillary equipment was said to be primed for use to compromise pipelines for oil theft.

“At Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw LG, several litres of stolen products were confiscated with suspects taken into custody.

“In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided a warehouse at Ukanafun LG, where 15 jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO were uncovered,” the statement added.

Danjuma said troops continued to dominate the waterways and hinterland, denying economic saboteurs and other criminals freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region.