PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Army’s 6th Division, working with other security agencies, has increased its operations against illegal oil refining in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). Recent actions have resulted in the dismantling of multiple illicit sites and the arrest of numerous suspects.
From February 17 to 23, 2025, troops destroyed 18 illegal oil refining sites and arrested 17 individuals suspected of oil theft. Authorities also demobilized 10 boats and recovered more than 25,000 liters of stolen petroleum products. These operations occurred primarily in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states.
Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the operations’ success in disrupting criminal activities.
In Rivers State, soldiers destroyed two active illegal oil refining sites near Kilometer 45, Idama, in Akuku-Toru LGA. They also intercepted three wooden boats containing over 9,000 liters of stolen crude oil. Along the Eket–Port Harcourt expressway, security forces seized a truck carrying over 3,000 liters of stolen crude oil near Ogale Junction.
“At Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops found an illegal oil bunkering dump with over 2,100 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO),” Danjuma said. He added that the suspects fled when they saw the troops. Soldiers also intercepted a boat with 1,000 litres of crude oil at Ogaji-Ama. At Imo River, two refining sites were eliminated, and 2,000 Litres of crude was seized.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled three illegal oil refining sites at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA. Danjuma confirmed that one pumping machine and over 3,500 liters of crude oil were recovered, and two wooden boats were destroyed. Another operation in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, resulted in the deactivation of a refining site and the seizure of over 2,000 liters of stolen crude.
The Army stated that these operations show its commitment to stopping illegal oil activities and keeping the region secure.
