Troops dismantle illegal bunkering sites, recover over 300,000 litres of stolen crude

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled 13 illegal bunkering sites, arrested 15 suspects, and recovered over 300,000 litres of stolen products during operations across the Niger Delta region.

The Deputy Director, 6 Division Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, stated that the operations, carried out between January 20 and 26, 2025, were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies. He disclosed that troops discovered and deactivated over 150 locally made ovens used for illegal refining and demobilised four boats used for oil theft.

In Edo State, Danjuma revealed that troops recovered 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Ugo Community, Orhionmwon Local Council. In Delta State, they intercepted a tanker truck siphoning crude oil from a pipeline, recovering over 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

“While on routine anti-illegal bunkering operations, troops swooped on a vandalised point with a large pool containing 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Ugo Community in Orhionmwon Local Council of Edo State,” Danjuma said. “Further exploitation in the area led to the recovery of a pumping machine, hoses, and pipes.

“At Asade Community in Ethiope West Local Council of Delta State, troops intercepted a red 30,000-litre capacity DAF tanker truck without a number plate, siphoning crude from a PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited pipeline located in the bush in Ovade general area. It was discovered that over 15,000 litres of stolen crude had already been siphoned before the truck was intercepted.”

In Rivers State, Danjuma noted that troops confiscated over 10,000 litres of stolen products along the Imo River corridor and discovered an illegal refining site at Odagwa. Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops recovered over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Isonogbene in Brass Local Council.

He added: “An illegal refining site was discovered along Odagwa on the Imo River waterways. At a camp in the Owaza general area, troops found the site fully active. The criminals fled on sighting the troops. During follow-up operations, one pump-action gun was recovered.

“At Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), troops dismantled three illegal refining sites with ten cooking drums, two rolls of hoses, and eight reservoirs. Similarly, in Abalama Community in Asari-Toru Local Council, troops discovered concealed jerricans filled with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).

“At Abacheke in ONELGA, troops stormed a bunkering camp, discovering four illegal refining sites, 145 locally made oven drums, and seven wheelbarrows containing 95 sacks filled with 5,700 litres of stolen AGO. They also uncovered a locally made reservoir stocked with over 3,500 litres of stolen products. Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the economic sabotage.

“Similarly, at Okoromadi in Abua Odual Local Council, troops dismantled an illegal refining site where four boilers and receivers were found. Troops are combing the area for other suspects.”

In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided an illegally refined AGO storage facility at Ikot Abia in Ikot Ekpene Local Council. This led to the recovery of over 30 polythene bags filled with an unspecified quantity of stolen AGO and several empty jerricans.

In Bayelsa State, at Isonogbene in Brass Local Council, two illegal refining sites were dismantled, and over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered.