Troops Destroy 19 Illegal Refineries,Seize 138,000 Litres Of Stolen Products
By Bukar BOLORI
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have destroyed 19 artisanal refineries and recovered over 138,000 litres of stolen products during operations conducted from March 17 to 23, 2025.
According to Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma 12 suspected oil thieves were also arrested during the joint operations carried out across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) in collaboration with other security agencies.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a tanker carrying 60,000 litres of stolen crude along Apajo-Iwoji-Iwofe Road in Obio Akpor LGA.
The driver fled, abandoning the truck, which was later found to contain multiple plate numbers. Further clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River led to the deactivation of several illegal refineries and the recovery of 64 drum pots, 15 drum receivers, and over 4,500 litres of stolen products.
At Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven and 40 sacks containing approximately 1,200 litres of stolen crude. In Bonny Island LGA, troops raided an illegal refining site where suspected oil thieves fled, leaving behind equipment including a 6 KVA generator, welding machine, drilling tools, and other materials.
In Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States, troops raided seven illegal bunkering camps, recovering over 25,000 litres of stolen crude, 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, two wheelbarrows, a wooden boat, and 1,550 litres of stolen crude in cellophane bags.
Similar seizures were made at Obiafu in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.In Delta State, an illegal bunkering truck with an inbuilt iron tank was intercepted near the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline at Masogar in Ethiope West LGA.
The truck, loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, was positioned for loading.In Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko-Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with registration number Lagos LSR 796 FD was intercepted with 1,620 litres of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags.
Two occupants were arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, commended the troops and urged them to intensify anti-crude oil theft operations to disrupt criminal activities.
He also called on residents to provide credible information to security agencies.
