18 Illegal Oil Refining Sites Destroyed, 17 Arrested

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The six Division of the Nigeria Army has announced the dismantling of no fewer than 18 illegal oil refining facilities, and the arrest of over 17 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

The operations which were carried out between February 17 ,and 23 ,2025 also resulted in the demobilization of 10 boats used in illegal lifting of petroleum products, and interception of 25,000 litres of stolen products..

A statement by Lt.Col Danjuma Jonah, the spokesperson for the Division, informed that troops recorded the feat during operations in different parts of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states .

In Kilometer 45, in the Idama general area of Akuku-Toru, Local Council, troops  he said, successfully dismantled, and destroyed some illegal oil refining sites, as well as three wooden boats laden with about 9,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Similarly, according to Col.Danjuma, an operation at Ogale junction, along the Eket-Port Harcourt Express way, led to the seizure of a truck containing over 3000 litres of stolen products.

This is in addition to the bursting of an illegal oil bunkering site, with over 2,100 litres of equally illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil AGO in Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council of Rivers State.

In the creek of Ogaji-Ama in Bukuma,  Danjuma noted that illegal oil operators, fled on noticing the approach of troops, leaving behind a wooden boat containing about 1000 litres of stolen oil products.

“During clearance operations at Imo River, two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, and 14 drum receivers were destroyed, with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated”, the Army spokesman stated.

According to the statement, troops arrested six suspected oil thieves in Oton community in Sapele Local Council of Delta State.

A Toyota Camry vehicle, and a tricycle used in transporting several sacks of illegally refined products were  among the items seized during the operations that also took place along Ughelli-Patani highway.

According to Danjuma, some operations were also conducted at Clough Creek in Ekeremor ,and around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.

During the operations, three illegal refining sites, a pumping machine, over 3,500 litres of crude were destroyed and seized in Ekeremor, while one illegal refining site with over 2000 litres of stolen oil products were deactivated and intercepted in Biseni Yenagoa.

The General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emeka, while applauding the troops, also, urged them not to relent until the  fight against oil theft and economic sabotage is won.