Troops of 6 Division Nigeria army destroyed another 20 illegal refining operations in the Niger Delta region, seizing 190,000 litres of stolen petroleum.
This comes just eight days after the army dismantled 20 illegal processing sites and seized 90 liters of stolen crude in the region as part of their ongoing campaign against oil theft.
In a statement made in Port Harcourt, acting deputy director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, stated that the activities took place between December 30, 2024 and January 5, 2025.

According to Danjuma, the operation resulted in the destruction of 31 boats used to transport stolen goods and the arrest of 11 suspected oil thieves.
According to the statement, “Operations to dismantle the criminal enterprise network operated by oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) have been intensified by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in cooperation with other security agencies. The combined operations region saw the destruction of 20 illicit refining installations, the arrest of 11 suspected oil thieves, the destruction of 31 boats used to carry stolen goods, the interception of seven cars, and the recovery of almost 190,000 liters of stolen goods. The period of the operations was December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025.

“Four oil sewage were discovered during deliberate operations at the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru in the Okordia general area of Yenagoa, Local Government Area (LGA).
Over 70,000 liters of stolen crude were found in the sewer. A sunction machine and approximately 700 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in bags were also found.In a related incident, two illicit refining operations were discovered in the Amalaghakiri general area of Nembe LGA, with almost 15,000 litres of stolen products collected. One illicit refining station was demolished in Oyeregbene, Southern Ijaw LGA, and more than 1,500 litres of stolen products were handled properly.

When oil thieves spotted troops in the Rivers State area of Omoku, they ran in confusion. An unlawful connection point on the Oando Pipeline near Ebocha was discovered as a result of further exploitation, and four boats carrying more than 22,000 liters of stolen goods were recovered.

“At Obiafu Oil Field, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, handled wooden boats and dugout pits laden with almost 8,000 gallons of stolen products. Around Mgbede, four illicit refining sites, five wooden boats, 108 locally manufactured furnaces, and various tanks with over 31,000 litres of stolen products were discovered. Over 13,000 litres of stolen products were found at the Imo River’s edge, and two illicit refining sites were destroyed, as well as 32 drum pots, 21 drum receivers, two pumping machines, and a variety of other auxiliary equipment in the Ozaa West, Obuzor, and Okoloma districts.

“Similarly, in Delta State, troops on routine patrol along the Pan Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline within Ivade in Ethiope West LGA intercepted vehicles engaged in illegal activities. Two J5 Boxer vehicles, AB 5980 J and Delta Bkw 593 XA, were caught with over 7,500 litres of stolen products in over 150 cellphone bags.Other seizures, estimated to be around 2,500 liters of crude oil, were made at Ikengbensi waterways in Isoko South LGA. Troops intercepted eight 280-litre barrels packed with premium motor spirit, believed to be 2,240 litres, on Ibaka beach in Akwa Ibom State. The products were suspected to be ready for smuggling to a neighboring country.

While praising the soldiers’ tenacity, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, urged them to further up their efforts. He insisted that this would foster an atmosphere that will allow socioeconomic operations to continue in the region without hindrance.