Army destroys 18 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

Army destroys 18 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

Troops of the  6 Division of the Nigerian Army have destroyed 18 illegal refineries and  ten boats used for criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

They also arrested 17 suspects involved in the operations of the illegal refineries.

The 6 Division recovered  at least 25,000 litres of stolen products during a raid of selected spots in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, respectively.

All of these were revealed in a statement issued  on Sunday  in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital by  the  Acting Deputy Director, 6, Division, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.

The statement said, “In several operations conducted from 17 – 23 February 2025, Eighteen illegal refining sites have been effectively dismantled, seventeen suspected oil thieves arrested, ten boats demobilised, with the recovery of over 25,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta Region.

“In operations conducted within Rivers State, particularly around Kilometre 45, Idama general area in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), troops recorded significant operational milestones.

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“These included the destruction of two active illegal refining sites, with the interception of three wooden boats loaded with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude. At Ogale junction, along Eket – Port Harcourt expressway, troops impounded a truck loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.

“While at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops discovered an illegal oil bunkering dump with over 2,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stocked in sacks. The suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops.”

According to the statement,  at the Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma, a wooden boat laden with over 1000 stolen crude was intercepted inside the creek.  It said during clearance operations at Imo River, two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, 14 drum receivers were destroyed, with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude seized.

“In Bayelsa State, at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, three illegal refining sites were dismantled, one pumping machine, with over 3,500 litres of crude were recovered, as well as two wooden boats demobilised.

“A similar operation was conducted around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, where troops deactivated one illegal refining site with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

“In a related vein in Delta State, troops intercepted a Toyota Camry with Registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE, conveying 16 cellophane bags with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO at Oton Village in Sapele LGA.

“In a follow-up operation, six suspected oil thieves were arrested. Also, along the Ughelli-Patani expressway, a tricycle conveying several sacks of illegally refined products was intercepted by the troops,” the statement said.

Army destroys 18 illegal refineries in Niger Delta