Nigerian Army troops dismantle 22 illegal refineries, arrest 19 suspects and recover over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have intensified the crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, destroying 22 illegal refining sites and arresting 19 suspected oil thieves across several states in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, said the operations were conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies.
According to Danjuma, the coordinated operations led to the recovery of over 180,000 litres of stolen crude oil, condensates and refined petroleum products, estimated to be worth more than ₦150 million.
“In Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where a massive reservoir containing over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil was discovered alongside a pumping machine,” the statement said.
He added that multiple illegal refining sites were dismantled around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, resulting in the recovery of more than 17,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat concealed along the riverbank and loaded with 37 sacks containing about 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil,” Danjuma disclosed.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude at Ogale community in Eleme Local Government Area, while two illegal refining sites were destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, with more than 3,000 litres of crude recovered.
The statement further revealed that at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, troops traced a nine-kilometre-long hose leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising large ovens, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.
Additional seizures were made in Okolomade, Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA, Okrika, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA and OML 18 Alakiri, where over 6,000 litres of condensates were recovered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway while offloading 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into an illegal pit. Two suspects were also arrested during separate operations in Sapele and Ughelli South Local Government Areas.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Army said troops uncovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Ikot Ntuen village, Abak LGA, leading to the recovery of several jerricans filled with stolen fuel.
Commending the troops for the successful operations, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, charged them to sustain the tempo against oil theft and economic sabotage.
He also urged residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting security agencies, stressing that the protection of critical national infrastructure remains vital to Nigeria’s economic stability.
