Troops Destroy 19 Illegal Refineries, Recover 138,000 Litres of Stolen Products

Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have destroyed 19 artisanal refineries, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves, and confiscated over 138,000 litres of stolen products across Joint Operations Area (JOA) in the Niger Delta Region.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, the operations were carried out in concert with other security agencies between 17 – 23 March 2025.

The troops conducted several intelligence led operations in Rivers State, leading to the interception of a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen crude around Apajo – Iwoji – Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA). The driver fled and abandoned the truck on sighting the troops. A search on the truck led to the recovery of multiple plate numbers.

Similarly, clearance operations conducted at the fringes of the Imo River resulted in the deactivation of numerous artisanal refineries, 64 drum pots, and 15 drum receivers with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered. Also, troops discovered an abandoned oven with 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 litres of stolen crude at Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA.

While at Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area in Bonny Island LGA, troops raided a site, where suspected oil thieves fled and abandoned their equipment. At the site, various items were recovered, including a 6 KVA generator, one welding machine, 5 drilling machines, 2 drilling cups, 38 bolts and nuts amongst several other items.

Relatedly, troops raided seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States respectively. During the raid, illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil recovered respectively. Other items recovered included two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat.

In Delta State, around Masogar in Ethiope West LGA, an illegal bunkering open truck, with an inbuilt iron tank with registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB was intercepted along NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline. The truck was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be loaded with stolen products.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko – Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with Registration Number Lagos LSR 796 FD loaded with over 1,620 litres of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags was intercepted. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. All the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while items and products confiscated were handled in accordance with the existing operational mandate.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has charged the troops to scale up the anti crude oil theft operations in the JOA in order to effectively deny oil thieves and associated criminals freedom of action. He also called on the good people of the region to continue to provide credible information on the activities of criminal elements in their domain to security agencies.