Army Destroys 32 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have destroyed no fewer than 32 illegal refineries in its continued efforts to curb oil theft across the Niger Delta region.

The troops, with support from other security agencies also deactivated 14 boats used for the criminal activities, arrested 15 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products during the operations.

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Jonah Danjuma, in a statement said the operations were conducted between January 6 and January 12, 2025, across the joint operations area.

“In Rivers State, troops conducted operations around Bille general area in Degema Local Government Area (LGA), where seven illegal refining sites with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated. This was in addition to two wooden boats complicated in the illicit activities destroyed.

“Additionally, along the Imo River stretch, ten illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several drum pots and receivers destroyed and over 19,000 litres of stolen products recovered,” the statement ssid.

Lt.-Col. Danjuma added that these operations were carried out around Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, Ukwa and Oyigbo areas.

“At Odagwa general area in Etche LGA, troops intercepted three boats loaded with over 12,000 litres of stolen crude. This was in addition to three suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene in connection to the seizures.

“Similarly, at Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, one illegal refining site with a reservoir ladened with over 1,200 of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and sacks stocked with over 1,600 litres of crude were handled appropriately.

“In a similar vein, along Ndoni Road, troops intercepted one Toyota Bus with Reg. No URU 808 XA Imo conveying 18 sacks of stolen condensates estimated to be over 1,200 litres.

“In Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out with a small wooden boat loaded with 1,500 litres of stolen crude intercepted and handled accordingly. Five suspected oil thieves were apprehended to that effect.”

He added that the suspects have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution.

In Bayelsa State at Baberegbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops discovered one illegal refining site where further exploitation led to the interception of a wooden boat conveying over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.

At Emago – Kugbo and Oluasiri areas in Nembe LGA, one illegal refining site was taken out with unquantified quantity of stolen products recovered.

“While in Delta and Akwa States, troops have continued to maintain visible footprints that effectively denied the economic saboteurs and associated criminals freedom of action in areas,” Danjuma added.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has commended the troops for the achievements so far, urging them to continue denying criminals freedom of action in the region.

Abdussalam said the achievements so far made will ensure increase in oil production and create a conducive environment for seamless exploration activities in the region.