Army Destroys Eight Illegal Refineries, Seizes 18,000 Litres of Stolen Crude in Niger Delta
Army Destroys Eight Illegal Refineries, Seizes 18,000 Litres of Stolen Crude in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Army has destroyed eight illegal refineries and seized about 18,000 litres of stolen crude oil during a recent operation in the Niger Delta region.
The operation, which spanned two weeks across parts of Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa States, also led to the arrest of several suspects allegedly involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
He said the operation was conducted under the 6 Division Nigerian Army using both “kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations” aimed at curbing oil theft and environmental degradation in the region.
According to Jonah, troops uncovered and dismantled several illegal refining sites where criminals had been refining stolen crude oil using locally fabricated equipment such as receivers, ovens, drums, and metal pipes, which were subsequently deactivated.
“The troops of 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, destroyed eight illegal refineries, arrested suspects involved in the illegal trade, and recovered approximately 18,000 litres of stolen crude oil. This achievement demonstrates the Division’s resolve to end the economic sabotage being perpetrated by oil thieves,” the statement read.
He noted that the success of the operation was the result of sustained intelligence gathering, patrols, and community engagement, which helped troops locate and neutralize several oil bunkering camps hidden in remote creeks.
Jonah reiterated the Army’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to safeguard the country’s critical oil infrastructure and restore environmental health in the Niger Delta.
He further warned those involved in illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other economic crimes to desist or face the full weight of the law.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to deploy all available resources to combat criminal activities that undermine the nation’s economic security. We urge community leaders and residents to cooperate by providing credible information to aid our operations,” he added.
The military’s crackdown on oil theft comes amid renewed government efforts to increase crude oil production and revenue generation, which have been severely affected by persistent illegal refining and pipeline vandalism in the region.
