…dismantle additional illegal refining sites, seize 190,000 litres of illicit petroleum products
By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their efforts to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta Region. In a recent operation, they successfully destroyed 20 illegal refining sites, dealing a significant blow to the criminal networks operating in the area. This achievement is part of the ongoing collaboration between the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to dismantle the illegal oil refining and theft operations in the region.
In a recent crackdown on oil theft, the Army headquarters reported significant successes. The operation, which took place from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, resulted in:
Arrests, eleven suspected oil thieves were taken into custody.
Destruction of Equipment, thirty-one boats used for transporting stolen products were destroyed
Recovery of Stolen Products, Seven vehicles were intercepted, and over 190,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Similarly, a targeted operation carried out has yielded significant results in the fight against oil theft.
Benkrukru Operation, four oil sewage pits were discovered around the Oando wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area, containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, a suction machine and about 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered.
Amalaghakiri Operation, two illegal refining sites were dismantled in the Amalaghakiri area of Nembe Local Government Area, resulting in the confiscation of over 15,000 litres of stolen products.
And in Oyeregbene Operation, one illegal refining site was destroyed in Oyeregbene, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, with over 1,500 litres of stolen products handled appropriately.
In Rivers State, around Omoku, troops closed on oil thieves, who fled in disarray on sighting troops. Further exploitation led to the discovery of an illegal connection point on Oando Pipeline, around Ebocha with four boats ladened with over 22,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Over 8,000 liters of stolen goods were handled in dugout pits and wooden boats at Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Four illicit refining facilities, five wooden boats, 108 locally manufactured ovens, and multiple tanks with more than 31,000 liters of stolen goods were found in the Mgbede area.
