Troops arrest oil thieves, destroy illegal refinery sites in N’Delta

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army have dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, arrested 11 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 190,000 litres of stolen products in a major blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region.

The operations, which took place between December 30, 2024, and January 5, 2025, were conducted with other security agencies. The troops also destroyed 31 boats used for transporting stolen products and intercepted seven vehicles carrying over 190,000 litres of stolen products.

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who confirmed the development in a statement, said the operations were part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta Region.

According to him, in one operation, troops discovered four oil sewage filled with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude around the Oando wellhead at Benkrukru in Yenagoa Local Council.

Also, one suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered. He said that similar operations were conducted in Rivers State, where troops discovered an illegal connection point on the Oando Pipeline around Ebocha, with four boats laden with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

Lt Colonel Danjuma added that the troops also intercepted vehicles involved in illicit activities, recovering over 7,500 litres of stolen products in Delta State.

Speaking on the feat, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to redouble their efforts.

This, he maintained, will create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in the region. He noted that the operations are part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta Region.

“The Nigerian Army has pledged to continue working with other security agencies to dismantle the network of criminal enterprises run by oil thieves in the region,” he added.