In a sustained effort to curb illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 29 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 24 illegal refining sites.

The operations, which took place between February 3 and 9, 2025, also led to the destruction of 11 boats and the recovery of over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.

He said troops carried out clearance operations along the Imo River, deactivating six illegal refining sites and destroying 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers. Additionally, two boats containing over 18,000 litres of stolen products were demobilized.

In Asa, Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen petroleum, along with 100 sacks containing approximately 1,500 litres of stolen crude. Similar operations were executed across Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa, and Ukwa general areas.

In Asari-Toru LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled in the Buguma general area. Two large pots and receivers, including one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude, were neutralized. Additionally, in Ebocha Well 5, troops raided an active refining site, seizing 28 locally made ovens and reservoirs containing 5,900 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and 3,500 litres of stolen crude.

A suspected oil thief was also apprehended. Another operation along Kumufari Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA resulted in the seizure of a 200-metre hose and a reservoir containing over 1,500 litres of stolen petroleum products.

The statement said in Delta State, troops launched a sting operation in the Okpai Oluchi community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area (LGA), following intelligence on illegal bunkering activities.

They confiscated over 70 sacks of stolen petroleum products along the SEEPCO Energy Company pipeline, amounting to approximately 2,800 litres. Additionally, a suspected oil thief abandoned a Sienna bus with Lagos registration number APP 89 CV, loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO, along Emiye Street, Isoko South LGA.

Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops dismantled two illegal refining sites along the boundary between Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA. Operations in Biseni, at the bank of the River Niger, and in Akpedi and Akinima communities led to the interception of 2,500 litres of AGO concealed in sacks.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, security forces maintained operational dominance, ensuring the disruption of illegal activities in the region.