BREAKING: Troops Dismantle 32 Artisanal Refineries, Recover Stolen Crude Oil In Niger Delta

The 6 Division troops, in collaboration with various security agencies, have intensified their operational efforts, leading to the dismantling of 32 artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

A publication by Daily Post on Sunday quoted a statement released on the verified WhatsApp of the Nigerian Army indicating that these operations took place from January 6 to 12, 2025, across designated joint operational areas.

The security operatives also successfully deactivated 14 boats used for criminal activities, arrested 15 oil thieves and recovered more than 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

The statement detailed that in Rivers State, troops executed operations in the Bille general area of Degema Local Government Area, where they confiscated seven illegal refining sites containing over 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Additionally, two wooden boats implicated in these illicit activities were destroyed. Along the Imo River, 10 illegal refining sites were deactivated, resulting in the destruction of numerous drum pots and receivers, as well as the recovery of over 19,000 litres of stolen products.

These operations spanned the areas of Asa, Okoloma, Ukwa, Ozaa, Abiama, Obuzor, Ukwa, and Oyigbo within the Odagwa general area.

Furthermore, the statement noted that in Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted three boats carrying over 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil, leading to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves at the scene in connection with these seizures.

“Similarly, at Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA, one illegal refining site with a reservoir ladened with over 1,200 of illegally refined automotive gas oil and sacks stocked with over 1,600 litres of crude were handled appropriately. In a similar vein, along Ndoni road, troops intercepted one Toyota Bus with Reg No URU 808 XA Imo conveying 18 sacks of stolen condensates estimated to be over 1,200 litres.

“In Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, two illegal refining sites were taken out with a small wooden boat loaded with 1,500 litres of stolen crude intercepted and handled accordingly. Five suspected oil thieves were apprehended to that effect. The suspects have been handed over to the relevant agency for prosecution,” the statement added.