Army d!smantles 14 illegal refineries in N’Delta
Army dismantles 14 illegal refineries in N’Delta
The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, says its troops have arrested 14 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the Niger Delta.
It added that soldiers also dismantled 14 illegal oil refining sites during a two-week operation across identified flashpoints in the region.
The acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Jonah Danjuma, revealed this in a statement on Monday.
Danjuma said the raids, carried out between October 20 and November 9, 2025, yielded “remarkable gains” and pledged that the Army would sustain its offensive against oil theft in collaboration with other security agencies.
“These resulted in the dismantling of 14 illegal refining hubs, the arrest of fourteen suspected oil thieves, and the confiscation of over 20,205 litres of stolen products across the region,” the statement read.
In Rivers State, troops reportedly deactivated six illegal refining sites along the fringes of the Imo River, destroyed 14 drum pots and nine drum receivers, and seized more than 8,000 litres of stolen products.
The Army said the recoveries were made around Asa, Okonta and Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State; Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State; and at an abandoned Wellhead 3 around the remote manifold axis, where 42 sacks containing over 1,250 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were recovered.
Troops also conducted operations in Ozochi community in the Ahoada East LGA and Angalama in Asari-Toru LGA, with additional seizures recorded.
In Delta State, troops raided Eruemukohwarien in the Ughelli North LGA, arresting three suspects. A J5 bus and a motorcycle used for transportation were impounded, while over 4,000 litres of condensate were recovered.
Similarly, at Bipoko community in the Warri South LGA, soldiers uncovered an active illegal refining site with a cooking oven and 38 sacks containing about 1,140 litres of stolen crude.
In Akwa Ibom State, the statement said troops intercepted a truck transloading Automotive Gas Oil from an underground storage facility at Olive Field Filling Station along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road in Ikot Ekpene LGA. The truck was loaded with more than 3,287 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Operations were also sustained in Bayelsa State, according to the Army, with suspects and seized products handled in line with established procedures.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for the successes recorded and urged them to maintain the fighting momentum against crude oil theft and other economic crimes.
