Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, has confirmed the arrest of 50 suspects and seizure of 11 illegal refinery hubs across Rivers, Abia, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.

The troops also recovered a total of 25,000 litres of stolen products, illegal refining sites, crude oil, chemicals, boats, and other materials used for oil theft.

The 6 Division released the report yesterday, noting that the coordinated operations were conducted in synergy with other security agencies. The operations, which disrupted illegal oil businesses, lasted for two weeks, from June 30 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, targeting bunkering networks, smuggling routes, and oil theft infrastructure.

“Troops conducted clearance operations along the Imo River, where seven illegal refining sites were destroyed, including 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and three big coolants,” Danjuma stated.

In the Niger Delta region, troops under Operation Delta Safe uncovered a vast web of illegal refining operations, dismantling 189 refining sites between April and July 2025. During this period, they recovered over 2.38 million litres of stolen crude oil, more than 600,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, 41,000 litres of kerosene, and 27,000 litres of petrol. Vehicles, boats, and various equipment used in the transportation and processing of the stolen products were seized.

Twelve suspected oil thieves were arrested and are under investigation. Beyond the oil-producing region, the Armed Forces launched offensives in multiple regions.

For example, in the North-East, troops targeted Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in areas such as Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and Gwoza.