ARMY DISMANTLES SEVEN ILLEGAL OIL REFINERIES, SEIZES N150M STOLEN PRODUCTS IN NIGER DELTA

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Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have dismantled seven illegal refining sites and arrested four suspected oil thieves during a series of operations across the Niger Delta region.

The army said its operatives recovered over 109,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, valued at more than N150 million, during raids conducted between November 10 and 23, 2025.

Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, noting that the operation was part of a sustained crackdown on economic sabotage.

According to the statement, the troops, working alongside other security forces:

Deactivated three illegal refining sites in Okolomade, Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, recovering over 40,000 litres of stolen crude and 20,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)**mm. Destroyed three additional refining sites around the fringes of the Imo River in Oyigbo LGA, recovering over 14,700 litres of crude. as well as eight drum pots, seven drum receivers, and a fibre boat.

Stormed a compound in Abuloma, Okrika LGA, discovering 1,050 sacks containing more than 32,000 litres of stolen crude.

Intercepted a Cotonou boat at Abonnema Creek, Akuku-Toru LGA, carrying over 1,000 litres of illegally refined diesel.

In Akwa Ibom, raided a suspected storage facility in Abak LGA and recovered over 520 litres of refined diesel, along with several empty containers.

In Delta State, troops disrupted illegal activities at DAEWOO yard in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA, forcing suspects to flee and recovering 75 litres of crude oil abandoned in the process.

The military said efforts to deny criminal groups “freedom of action” are ongoing in Bayelsa State, where operations continue to target illegal refining networks.

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops’ resilience and urged them to maintain momentum against oil theft in the region. He also appealed to residents to support ongoing military efforts by providing credible intelligence on criminal activities.

Oil theft and illegal refining remain major economic threats in the Niger Delta, contributing to environmental degradation and revenue losses.

“Sustaining this tempo is crucial to cutting off the financial lifelines of economic saboteurs,” the GOC said.