Army smashes nine illegal refineries, arrests 17 in Niger Delta crackdown

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have destroyed nine illegal refineries, arrested 17 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during coordinated operations across the Niger Delta region.

The development was confirmed in a statement on Sunday by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for the Division.

According to the statement, in Delta State, troops uncovered a metal storage facility in Ogwu Community, Warri South Local Government Area, containing over 20,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), along with three pumping machines, three metering machines, and 25 litres of engine oil.

Other items recovered at the scene included two empty tanks and a 20,000-litre capacity tanker truck (registration number BEN 223 ZW, Edo State) loaded with over 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops discovered two illegal refining sites and three dugout pits holding more than 7,000 litres of stolen products, which were subsequently destroyed in line with standard procedures.

At Okordia, also in Yenagoa LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry (registration number ASB 71 BG) containing over 600 litres of AGO.

In Rivers State, during a routine patrol near Okarki Community in Ahoada West LGA, soldiers intercepted a Toyota 4Runner SUV (registration number GBB 331 AE) transporting over 1,600 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products.

The army reiterated its commitment to protecting critical oil infrastructure, curbing economic sabotage, and supporting joint security operations to rid the Niger Delta of illegal oil bunkering and associated crimes.