Niger Delta On Fire: Army Uncovers and Dismantles 37 Illegal Refineries, Recovering Staggering Amount Of Stolen Oil

The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with various security agencies, has intensified its efforts to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Between December 16 and December 22, 2024, these operations led to the dismantling of 37 illegal refining sites, the arrest of 10 suspected oil thieves, and the recovery of over 130,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Details of the operations were shared in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.

The statement highlighted key achievements, including the destruction of nine illegal refining sites in Obiafu, located within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The troops also seized 176 cooking drums, various pumping machines, and more than 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). Four suspected oil thieves were apprehended at this location.

In Asari-Toru Local Government Area, three illegal refining sites and a large boat were dismantled, recovering 24,000 litres of stolen products.

Similarly, in Degema Local Government Area, troops destroyed illegal refining sites and intercepted three boats carrying over 16,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.

Operations in Ozorchi Forest in Abua/Odual and along the Imo River led to the destruction of refining equipment and the recovery of 15,000 litres of stolen products.

Troops also successfully thwarted pipeline vandalism attempts and dismantled refining sites in Bayelsa State. In Kunsho Creek, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, 2,000 litres of stolen crude were seized, and an abandoned attempt to sabotage a pipeline belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company was uncovered in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

The statement further mentioned that a tanker truck attempting to siphon crude from a pipeline was intercepted in Obiukwole Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State.