Troops Crack Down on Oil Thieves in Niger Delta, Arrest 46 and Destroy 23 Illegal Refineries

Nigerian troops have intensified operations against oil thieves and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling 23 illicit refining sites and arresting 46 suspects between June 9 and 29, 2025, military authorities said.

The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the recovery of more than 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products across the oil-rich region.

In Bayelsa State, soldiers targeted illegal refining infrastructure around Biseni Community and Adibawa in Yenagoa Local Government Area. Troops destroyed nine large metal cooking pots, 16 drum pots, four receivers, and four coolant drums, recovering over 6,000 litres of stolen crude. Two suspects were also apprehended in Otueke, Ogbia LGA, found with locally fabricated pistols and 9mm ammunition.

In Rivers State, security forces uncovered six illegal refining sites near Kilometer 45 in Degema LGA, seizing over 5,000 litres of stolen crude. Another raid at Kula 1 in Akuku-Toru LGA resulted in the destruction of four cooking ovens, four receivers, and drums holding more than 2,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), with four suspects arrested.

Clearance operations along the Imo River led to the destruction of six illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 2,000 litres of crude oil in Obuzor and Okoloma areas, spanning Ukwa West and Oyigbo LGAs in Abia and Rivers States.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA, seizing 131 nylon bags filled with approximately 3,930 litres of stolen products. Further interceptions at Ebughu, Mbo LGA, yielded seven 30-litre jerricans containing over 300 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Delta State also witnessed significant busts. In Kwale, Ndokwa East LGA, troops discovered a storage facility at a tanker park along the Asaba Expressway, containing 150 sacks filled with about 3,000 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, a vacuum truck loaded with stolen crude was intercepted at Yanga market road in Oleh, Isoko North LGA, though the driver fled the scene.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, emphasized the military’s commitment to curbing oil theft and associated crimes that undermine Nigeria’s economy and environmental safety.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft, illegal refining, and pipeline vandalism, challenges that continue to strain its revenue and environmental security.