Army Destroys 19 Illegal Refineries, Arrests 13 Suspects
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army in collaboration with sister agencies have destroyed 19 artisanal refineries and arrested 13 suspects in Niger Delta.
According to the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, the success was achieved between March 17 to 23, 2025.
Danjuma explained that the troops also recovered over 138,000 litres of stolen products confiscated across the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
He said in Rivers State, the troops led the operation that intercepted a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen crude around Apajo – Iwoji – Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area.
Danjuma revealed that the driver fled and abandoned the truck on sighting the troops. Furthermore, a search, he said, was conducted on the truck, which led to the recovery of multiple plate numbers.
He stated that clearance operations were conducted on the fringes of the Imo River, which resulted in the deactivation of numerous artisanal refineries, 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
“At Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven, with 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, at Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area in Bonny Island LGA, troops raided a site, where suspected oil thieves fled and abandoned their equipment.
“At the site, various items were recovered, including a 6 KVA generator, one wielding machine, 5 drilling machines, 2 drilling cups, 38 bolts and nuts amongst several other items,” the army added.
Similarly, troops of the division raided seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States respectively.
During the raid, it was gathered that illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil recovered respectively. Other items recovered included two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat.
Also, over 1,550 litres of stolen crude in cellophane bags was recovered on the waterways. Seizures were also made at Obiafu in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni LGA.
Danjuma also disclosed that: “In Delta State, around Masogar in Ethiope West LGA, an illegal bunkering open truck, with an inbuilt iron tank with registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB was intercepted along NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline.
“The truck was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be loaded with stolen products.
“In Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko -Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with Registration Number Lagos LSR 796 FD loaded with over 1,620 litres of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags was intercepted.”
“The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. All the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while items and products confiscated were handled in accordance with the existing operational mandate”, Danjuma revealed.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah has charged the troops to scale-up the anti crude oil theft operations in the JOA in order to effectively deny oil thieves and associated criminals freedom of action.
