The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, has announced the dismantling of 16 illegal refineries and arrest of 23 suspected oil thieves in their operations in the past one week.
It also disclosed the seizure of about 67,000 litres of stolen oil products, and recovery of some arms and ammunition in the operations conducted across the Niger Delta region from 14 – 20 April 2025.
In a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, it said the operations were in the army’s determination to sustain operational successes recorded against oil theft in the oil rich region of the country.
It also noted that the efforts were in collaboration with other critical stakeholders with results recorded across the various parts of region.
“In Bayelsa State, around Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops surged operations against the criminals, which led to the successful deactivation of four illegal refining sites, confiscation of three large concrete reinforced dug out pits filled with over 35,000 litres of stolen crude from the Wellhead”, it said.
The statement further revealed that over 2,500 litres of illegally refined Agromated Gas Oil (AGO), with Wellhead valve and pumping machines were also recovered during the operation.
According to the statement, the crimes were perpetrated through the use of an 80 meter long pipe connected to the wellhead used for siphoning crude oil.
“Along Gbarain–Zarama Road, also in YELGA, various tricycles conveying stolen products were intercepted. Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the seizures”, it said.
In Rivers State, the statement added that clearance operations conducted around the Imo River led to the dismantling of 6 artisanal refineries, 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, 1,100 sacks filled with over 22,000 litres of stolen products around Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“While in Okrika Creek, following human intelligence, troops recovered a wooden boat loaded with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude, suspected to have been siphoned from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Jetty in Okrika”, it said.
At Kula general area, in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area , the statement also revealed how troops positively identified and arrested three buyers and three sellers of suspected stolen products.
The operation as was put by the Army statement, led to the arrest of criminal merchants, the interception of three tug boats and one fibre boat loaded with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerricans.
“At Obohia Road to Obrikom waterside, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), one wooden boat loaded with several sacks of stolen products was intercepted. Seizures were also made at Okwuizi, also in ONELGA, and Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA”, the statement added.
The Army also conducted operations in Delta State, where troops stormed a kidnappers hideout, around Rhobot City, Ibuzu Road in Asaba and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha LGA.
Other success stories, as contained in the statement, include two suspected kidnappers apprehended with several dangerous weapons such as two pump action riffles, one double barrel gun, one dane gun and 56 cartridges.
Also, 13 cutlasses, one military boot, one camouflage headgear, one axe, a black bag, four fraternity berets, jacket and a park containing four arrows and several charms were discovered by the Team.
The statement also noted that around Warri South general area, one illegal refining site, three cooking pots, unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, and three drums filled with over 600 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
Meanwhile, it revealed that the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, visited several troops locations in Bayelsa and Delta states, where he interacted with troops and enjoined them to sustain the operational tempo in the region.
Emekah, assured the troops that their welfare would continue to receive the desired attention as they surge operations against economic saboteurs and associated crimes in the region.

King Onunwor