Nigerian Army has reportedly destroyed 19 illegal refineries, arrest 12 suspects and recovered 138,000 liters of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.
This was disclosed by Acting Deputy Director of the 6th Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued from Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
The operation, which took place from March 17 to March 23, 2025, covered four states: Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta.
“Troops of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, while consolidating on previous operational successes, carried out a series of operations between March 17 and 23, 2025. These efforts led to the destruction of 19 artisanal refineries, the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, and the confiscation of over 138,000 liters of stolen petroleum products across the Joint Operations Area.” he declared.
It will be recalled that a significant portion of the operation focused on intelligence-driven actions in Rivers State, which led to the interception of a tanker loaded with 60,000 liters of stolen crude oil along the Apajo-Iwoji-Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area.
Upon spotting the troops, the driver abandoned the truck and fled. A search of the vehicle uncovered multiple licence plates.
Subsequently, the clearance operations by Troops in the Imo and River areas led to the destruction of several illegal refineries, as well as the recovery of 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers containing over 4,500 litres of stolen products.
Meanwhile, at Kumufari Creek in Degema Local Government Area, troops discovered an abandoned refining oven and 40 sacks containing more than 1,200 liters of stolen crude oil. Another raid in the Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area of Bonny Island resulted in the discovery of abandoned equipment, including a 6 KVA generator, a welding machine, five drilling machines, two drilling cups, and various bolts and nuts.
In Delta State, around Masogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area, an illegal bunkering truck was intercepted along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline.
The truck, which had an inbuilt iron tank, was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
A second truck was also found in the area, waiting to be loaded with additional stolen products.
In Akwa Ibom State, a Toyota Avalon loaded with 1,620 litres of stolen petroleum products in 54 cellophane bags was intercepted along the Iko-Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
All arrested suspects have been handed over to the relevant authorities for prosecution, and all seized items and products have been processed according to the operational mandate.