Troops Arrest 46, Shut Down 23 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta Region
As troops in the Niger Delta Region continue to sustain momentum in the ongoing crackdown of oil thieves, 46 oil suspects of oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes have been arrested in the last twenty days as troops effectively denied the criminal elements freedom of action.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah on Sunday, June 26, said, The operations yielded significant results between June 9 and 29, 2025, troops also successfully deactivated 23 illegal refining sites, arrested 46 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 30,000 liters of stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, troops destroyed nine big pots, 16 drum pots, and four receivers, recovering over 6,000 liters of stolen crude in Biseni Community and Adibawa.Troops also apprehended two suspected criminals in possession of two locally fabricated pistols with 9mm rounds at Otueke in Ogbia LGA.
While in Rivers State, 6 illegal refining sites were uncovered, with over 5,000 liters of stolen crude confiscated in Degema LGA. Another site was dismantled in Akuku-Toru LGA, yielding four cooking ovens and over 2,500 liters of stolen AGO.
Meanwhile, a warehouse raid in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State led to the recovery of 131 nylon bags filled with over 3,930 liters of stolen products. And in Delta State, Troops were able to discovered a store containing 150 sacks of stolen crude oil at Kwale in Ndokwa East LGA and intercepted a vacuum truck with registration Number Delta LEH 167 SP loaded with stolen crude at Yanga market road Oleh in Isoko North LGA. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.
Core Reporters report that these operations demonstrated the military’s commitment to combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
