Illegal Bunkering: Nigerian Army Arrests 50 Suspects In Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 50 persons suspected to be involved in illegal bunkering and refining of petroleum products in parts of the Niger Delta region.

The troops, who conducted their operations at different fronts with other security agencies between June 30 July 13, 2025, also dismantled 11 Illegal refining sites and confiscated 25,000 litres of stolen products.

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, said the operatives also discovered several compromised illegal connection points.

The statement reads in part: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have continued to thwart several attempts by oil thieves and and other criminals to re-establish their foothold in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).

“The latest operations led to the dismantling of eleven illegal refining sites, arresting 50 suspected oil thieves, confiscating 25,000 litres of stolen products, and the discovery of several compromised illegal connection points.”

He added that in the operations that ensued in Rivers State, troops sustained the clampdown on attempts to re-establish new illegal bunkering hubs, including dismantling existing camps.

Also, the Acting Director added that several clearance operations were conducted along the Imo River, with seven illegal refining sites, 35 drum pots, fourteen drum receivers, three big coolants destroyed, and over 6,000 litres of crude oil recovered.

“These recoveries were made around Obuzor and Ozaa West in Ukwa West and Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia and Rivers States respectively. At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled, with dugout pits filled with 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,000 litres of crude oil handled in line with operational mandate.”

Additionally, he added that a reservoir stocked with over 3,000 litres of chemicals used for the criminal venture, and five sacks containing 100 and 150 litres of stolen AGO and DPK respectively, were recovered.

“This was in addition to three suspected oil thieves apprehended, a 300-metre plastic hose, and fourteen metal drums handled appropriately. There were also seizures around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, with numerous holding facilities dismantled.

“In Delta State, along Jeddo waterways in Warri South LGA, one speedboat and a locally made wooden boat, both loaded with 86 sacks containing over 1,720 litres of stolen products, were deactivated,” Lt.-Col. Danjuma said.

He added that troops also raided a store at Obiaruku Community in Ukwuani LGA and discovered 24 jerricans of 25 litres filled with illegally refined AGO.

“At the creek along Ugbokodo, also in Warri South LGA, a locally made wooden boat stocked with stolen products was intercepted by the troops.

“While in Bayelsa State, troops made determined efforts to curtail the activities of oil thieves. This led to the seizure of a wheelbarrow and a 70-kg gas cylinder at Ikarama in Yenagoa LGA.

“The ancillary equipment was said to be primed for use to compromise pipelines for oil theft. At Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, several litres of stolen products were confiscated with suspects taken into custody,” he said.

In Akwa Ibom State, Danjuma said troops raided a warehouse at Ukanafun LGA, where fifteen jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO were uncovered.

He stressed that troops have continued to dominate the waterways and hinterland, effectively denying economic saboteurs and other criminals freedom of action.