Troops Dismantle 13 Illegal Oil Refineries, Recover 300,000 Litres Of Stolen Oil

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in a significant blow to oil thieves, have dismantled 13 illegal bunkering sites, arrested 15 suspects, and recovered over 300,000 litres of stolen products in a series of operations conducted across the Niger Delta region.

According to the Deputy Director 6 Division Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, the operations, which took place from January 20 to 26, 2025, were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.

Danjuma noted that  troops discovered and deactivated over 150 locally made ovens used for illegal refining, and demobilized four boats used for oil theft.

In Edo State, he said troops recovered 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Ugo Community in Orhiomwon Local Government Area, while in Delta State, they intercepted a tanker truck siphoning crude oil from a pipeline, recovering over 15,000 litres of stolen crude.

He said:”While on routine anti illegal bunkering operations, troops swooped on a vandalised point, with a large pool stocked with 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Ugo Community in Orhiomwon Local Government Area LGA of Edo State. 

“The products were suspected to have been stolen from a vandalised point. Further exploitation in the area led to the recovery of pumping machine, hose and pipes. At Asade Community in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State, troops intercepted a red 30,000 litres capacity DAF Tanker Truck without Plate Number, siphoning crude from PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline located in the bush in Ovade gen area. It was discovered that over 15,000 litres of stolen crude was already siphoned before the truck was intercepted.”

While in Rivers State, Danjuma stated that troops confiscated over 10,000 litres of stolen products along the Imo River corridor, and discovered an illegal refining site along Odagwa.

Likewise, In Bayelsa State, they recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Isonogbene in Brass Local Government Area.

He added: “Relatedly, an illegal refining site was discovered along Odagwa along the Imo River waterways. On arrival at a camp at Owaza general area, it was noted to be fully active. The criminals deserted the area on sighting troops. In a follow up operations conducted, one pump action gun was recovered. 

“At Obiafu Oil field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), troops dismantled three illegal refining sites in a cluster, with ten cooking drums, two rolls of hose and eight reservoirs. 

“This feat was replicated around Abalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA, where troops discovered some carefully concealed jerricans filled with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) estimated to be over 1,500 litres. 

“Similarly, at Abacheke area also in ONELGA, troops stormed a bunkering camp, where they discovered four illegal refining sites, 145 locally made oven drums and seven wheelbarrows with 95 sacks filled with 5,700 litres of stolen AGO. 

“There was also the discovery of a locally made reservoir stocked with over 3,500 litres of stolen products. Eight suspected oil thieves have been arrested in connection to the mindless act of economic sabotage.  Similarly, at Okoromadi in Abua Odual LGA, troops closed up on an illegal refining site, where four big and small boilers with receivers were discovered. Troops are currently combing the general area for possible arrest of economic saboteurs. 

“In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided an illegally refined AGO storage facility at Ikot Abia in Ikot Ekpene LGA. Further exploitation led to the recovery of over 30 polythene bags filled with unspecified quantity of stolen AGO and several empty jerricans. While in Bayelsa State, at Isonogbene general area in Brass LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf or face renewed onslaught.

He noted that the operations are part of the ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. 

Troops Dismantle 13 Illegal Oil Refineries, Recover 300,000 Litres Of Stolen Oil is first published on The Whistler Newspaper