The Nigerian Army has made significant strides in its efforts to combat oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta region. According to a statement by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt Col Jonah Danjuma, troops have destroyed 12 illegal refining sites, arrested 16 suspected oil thieves, and recovered approximately 70,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operations, which took place from January 27 to February 2, 2025, were conducted jointly with other security agencies across Rivers and three other states. The army also demobilized six boats and intercepted nine vandalized pipelines during the operation.
Some notable successes include the interception of two fully loaded suction trucks conveying 12,000 litres of stolen crude each, and the confiscation of over 10,000 litres of stolen products stored in several tanks at a scrapyard in Rivers State.
The army’s efforts have also led to the destruction of three illegal refining sites, 43 cooking drum pots, 23 receivers, and three fibre boats in the Obigbo, Oyigbo, and Ukwa general areas.
These successes demonstrate the army’s commitment to tackling the menace of oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta region.
