By Miracle Ogunde
The Nigerian army, during a recent raid conducted in some states of the Niger Delta in collaboration with other security agencies destroyed 24 illegal refineries and recovered over 60, 000 litres of stolen products in the region.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma.
Likewise, the army arrested 29 suspected oil thieves in the region.
The statement reads, “In the latest crackdown against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working in synergy with other security agencies have successfully apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 24 illegal refining sites, demobilized eleven boats and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products.
“The operations were conducted across the Niger Delta from 3rd and 9th February, 2025. In clearance operations conducted by troops, along the Imo River, 6 illegal refining sites were deactivated, 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers were destroyed. This was in addition to two boats demobilised with over 18,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Also, around Asa in Obigbo Local Government Area, troops uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products as well as 100 sacks filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.
“The operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas. Similarly, in the Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude was handled appropriately.
“In a similar vein, around Ebocha Well 5, troops swooped on an active illegal refining site with 28 empty locally made ovens, reservoirs filled with 5,900 and 3,500 illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil and stolen crude respectively.”
It added, “Also recovered at the site were 37 sacks filled with over 2, 220 litres of illegally refined AGO and one suspected oil thief apprehended at the scene. Likewise, along Kumufari Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, a 200-meter hose with a reservoir stocked with over 1,500 litres of stolen products was handled accordingly. In Delta State, following tip-off about suspected illegal bunkering activities around Okpai Oluchi community in Ndokwa East LGA, troops mobilised to the area and conducted a sting operation.
“During the operations, over 70 sacks were confiscated along the SEEPCO Energy company pipeline within the Community, which led to the confiscation of over 2,800 litres of stolen products.
Additionally, troops intercepted the movement of a suspected oil thief, who fled and abandoned his vehicle at Emiye Street along Palace Road in Isoko South LGA. The abandoned vehicle is a Sienna bus with Registration number Lagos APP 89 CV was loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO.”
In Bayelsa, Danjuma said at the boundary between Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites.
“Similarly, around Biseni at the bank of the River Niger and Akpedi community in Yenagoa LGA and Akinima in Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted 2,500 litres of AGO in sacks.
“In Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to dominate the operations area, denying criminal elements freedom of action,” it added.
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