39 Arrested As Soldiers Destroy 18 Illegal Refineries In N’Delta

The Nigerian Army’s 6th Division reported that its operatives have apprehended 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta Region.

Also, the army said 60,000 liters of stolen products were seized during the crackdown against oil theft and related crimes in the region. It said the special operation, which lasted for six days across three states of the region, was in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The statement partly reads, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against crude oil theft as well as other associated crimes conducted in the Niger Delta Region. This was from 24th to 30th March 2025. The operations, which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 liters of stolen products and other items recovered.

“The operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area, led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 liters of stolen products. Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck with reg. LXA 44 XA concealed with bags of sawdust, conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting troops.

“Relatedly, along the Imo River, the anti-COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 liters of stolen products recovered. While around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 liters of stolen products were confiscated.

“Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Troops also closed in on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal refining sites dismantled and drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes destroyed.”

In Bayelsa State, the 6 Division spokesman said similar operations its troops conducted yielded the desired outcome.

“This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State, where two illegal refining sites contained drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 liters of stolen crude in drums and sacks. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 liters of crude oil and 300 liters of illegally refined automotive gasoline oil was recovered.

“In Delta State, the operations are progressing with visible footprints. At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophane bags used for the criminality. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape, making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action,” the statement added.

Speaking, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanue Emekah, charged the troops to upscale the crackdown against oil thieves and sustain the enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive seamlessly.

Emekah warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the wrath of the law.