Troops destroy 4 illegal refining sites, arrest 24 in N/Delta

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 28 suspected oil thieves, deactivated four illegal refining sites, and seized over 290,000 litres of stolen products across states in the Niger Delta region. The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt that […]

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 28 suspected oil thieves, deactivated four illegal refining sites, and seized over 290,000 litres of stolen products across states in the Niger Delta region.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt that the arrests were made in conjunction with other security agencies. 

He noted that the collaboration consolidates the Army’s efforts in the ongoing Anti-Crude Oil Theft operations in the Niger Delta Region.

He said the operations, which were conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025, resulted in the arrest of the 28 suspected oil thieves after the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the activities of oil thieves.

He detailed the successful operations: “Several operations were conducted across Rivers State with tremendous successes recorded. At Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area (LGA), two wooden boats were intercepted while loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel offloading the product at a jetty. 

‘’Additionally, two boats were intercepted at Okrika, with one loaded with over 33,000 litres of stolen products at a jetty in Okrika. Relatedly, another wooden boat loaded with over 5,000 litres of stolen products was also intercepted in the area.

“In a related development, following a tip-off on illegal oil bunkering activities around a pipeline after Sterling Global Company Road, Akpabo, at Elele Alimini in Emohua LGA, troops swung into action and impounded a tanker with registration number Rivers JJN 287 ZU coming out of the pipeline right of way. The vehicle was suspected to have loaded about 90,000 litres of stolen products from the site. Two suspects, the driver and his motor boy, were taken into custody.

“Also, at Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, over 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered.

“Along Imo River, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites and seized three drum pots, three receivers, and over 2,500 litres of stolen crude around Obuzor, Asa Asa in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. At Orashi River waterside, two wooden boats were intercepted with over 700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) recovered. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.’’