25 illegal Refineries destroyed, 2 Oil Thieves arrested in Niger-Delta in One Week- Army

Army Personnel on the operation

Uchenna Johnson

Rivers

 The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army says its troops destroyed 25 illegal refineries, recovered 95,000 litres of stolen products, and arrested 12 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta in one week. 

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, in a statement, said its troops also destroyed 18 boats used by the suspects, along with other equipment, at various sites across four states in the region. 

Carried out in conjunction with sister security agencies between 10th and 16th February 2025, he said troops on a routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, attempting to steal crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline 36-inch route in Rivers State. 

The statement said the criminals fled and abandoned the truck upon sighting the troops. Also, along the Odagwa–Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted two wooden boats laden with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude. 

It said around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites containing over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in sacks. 

The statement said two hoses were recovered, and two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the crime. 

"Troops also intercepted three wooden boats carrying over 3,200 litres of stolen crude around Karakarma in Degema LGA, Rivers State. Other seizures were made at Kumufari and Ogbonma forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, and Okobhio Forest in Degema LGA. Around the Imo River, troops deactivated 19 illegal refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers, handling over 4,000 litres of stolen crude. Similar operations were recorded in Delta, and Bayelsa states.