Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, alongside other security agencies, have dismantled 37 illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta.
The operation led to the seizure of over 130,000 litres of stolen crude, marking another significant victory in the ongoing fight against oil theft. Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed the successful raids.
In Rivers State, troops destroyed a cluster of nine illegal refining sites in Obiafu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. The raid resulted in the destruction of 176 cooking drums, several pumping machines, and a large stash of stolen products. More than 60,000 litres of illegally refined crude and other products were confiscated during the operation.
In separate operations, troops arrested ten suspected oil thieves and seized over 130,000 litres of stolen crude. Among the recovered products were 50,000 litres of stolen crude, 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and over 6,000 litres of illegally refined DPK. The raids also led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites used by oil thieves.
Meanwhile, security forces intercepted a large boat and dismantled three illegal refining sites in the Buguma area, recovering more than 24,000 litres of stolen products. Similarly, in the Degema LGA, another three illegal refining sites were destroyed, and over 11,000 litres of stolen oil products were seized.
In Bayelsa State, troops intercepted a tanker truck in the process of siphoning crude oil from a pipeline in Delta State. The truck, which was connected to the pipeline through a blue hose, was discovered by security forces during a clearance operation. Four suspected oil thieves were arrested at the scene.
With these successful operations, the Nigerian Army continues to make substantial progress in its efforts to curb oil theft and vandalism in the region. Authorities remain committed to intensifying efforts to secure Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and prosecute those involved in illegal oil activities.
