Troops Dismantle 14 Illegal Oil Refineries, Arrest 14 Suspects in Niger Delta Crackdown
Story: written by Zara November 12,2025
The Nigerian Army has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across the Niger Delta, dismantling 14 illicit refining sites and arresting 14 suspected oil thieves.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations were conducted between October 20 and November 9, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies.
The statement revealed that troops operating under the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, confiscated over 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a series of coordinated raids across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States.
In Rivers State, troops dismantled six illegal refining sites along the fringes of the Imo River, seizing 8,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 14 drum pots, and nine drum receivers. The sites were located in Asa, Okonta, and Okoloma communities in Oyigbo LGA; Ozochi in Ahoada East; Angalama in Asari-Toru; and Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
Troops also uncovered an illegal storage area near an abandoned wellhead, recovering 42 sacks filled with approximately 1,250 litres of crude oil.
In Delta State, three suspects were apprehended at Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North and Bipoko in Warri South LGAs. Troops discovered a refining site with a cooking oven and seized over 5,000 litres of condensate, a J5 bus, and a motorcycle used for illegal operations.
Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, soldiers intercepted a truck transloading illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from an underground storage tank at Olive Field Filling Station along Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road. The truck contained over 3,200 litres of stolen fuel.
In Bayelsa State, troops continued raids on criminal hideouts used by oil thieves, recovering several quantities of stolen crude and dismantling illegal refining infrastructure.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to maintain momentum in the ongoing war against oil theft and economic sabotage.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s oil assets and ensuring environmental safety in host communities.
