Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 67,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a major operation to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The week-long operation, conducted from April 14 to 20, spanned several states including Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom, and targeted artisanal refineries and illegal oil storage facilities.

Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in a statement, said the joint operation with other critical stakeholders led to the dismantling of 16 illegal refineries.

He revealed that in Bayelsa State alone, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites and seized over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Adibawa Oando Wellhead. They also recovered more than 2,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), in addition to pumping machines and wellhead valves.

In Rivers State, clearance operations along the Imo River corridor resulted in the dismantling of six artisanal refineries, with troops seizing 30 drum pots and 24 drum receivers.

Danjuma further disclosed that over 22,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered during operations conducted in Obuzor, Ukwa West Local Council of Abia State, and Okoloma, Oyigbo Local Council of Rivers State.

In total, the operations led to the recovery of more than 62,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.