Troops Arrest 62, Destroy 14 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta 

Troops Arrest 62, Destroy 14 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

The troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 62 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 14 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, today.

The operations, conducted between July 14 and 20, 2025, spanned across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, and were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies. Over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were confiscated.

In Rivers State, troops deactivated six illegal refining sites around an abandoned wellhead at Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA. The operation led to the seizure of about 300,000 litres of stolen crude and 21,000 litres of AGO. Equipment recovered at the site included a generator, welding machine, ovens, and reservoirs used for processing stolen products.

Similarly, at Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, more illegal refining locations were uncovered. Troops discovered three dug-out pits containing thousands of litres of crude oil and AGO, intercepted two boats loaded with condensates, and seized a Sienna vehicle without a number plate loaded with 1,920 litres of AGO. Another illegal connection point and pit filled with over 1,200 litres of condensate were also discovered.

In Bayelsa State, troops stormed Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, deactivating four refining sites and confiscating over 10,000 litres of AGO. They also dismantled five cooking ovens and four storage pits as they intensified combing operations across the creeks.

In Delta State, acting on intelligence, troops arrested two suspects in Sapele LGA with boats carrying 1,500 litres of refined AGO in 30 cellophane bags. In Akwa Ibom, troops maintained operational dominance, disrupting movements of criminal elements.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their resilience and successes. He urged them to sustain the momentum and ensure oil thieves are denied any operational space.