The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced that its troops destroyed 25 illegal refineries and recovered 95,000 litres of stolen products, while 12 suspected oil thieves were arrested in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of the country..
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday the troops destroyed 18 boats used by the suspects, along with other ancillary equipment, at various sites across four states in the region.
Danjuma disclosed that the operation was carried out in conjunction with sister security agencies between 10th and 16th February 2025.
“The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, and the dismantling of 18 boats used for criminal activities, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“In Rivers State, troops on a routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000-litre capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, attempting to steal crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline 36-inch route.
“The criminals fled and abandoned the truck upon sighting the troops. Additionally, along the Odagwa–Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted two wooden boats laden with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered three illegal bunkering dump sites containing over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), stored in sacks. Two hoses were recovered, and two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the crime,” he said.
GIK/APA