Troops Destroy 18 Illegal Bunkering Sites, Arrest 17 Suspected Oil Thieves

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Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have dismantled 18 illegal refining sites, arrested 17 suspected oil thieves, demobilized 10 boats, and recovered over 25, 000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta Region.

The military confirmed that the troop succeeded in carrying out this mission during a number of operations conducted between February 17 and February 2025 in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations.

According to the statement, troops in Rivers State made significant operational gains, particularly in the Idama general area of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), where they demolished two active illegal refining sites and intercepted three wooden boats carrying more than 9, 000 litres of crude.

It further noted that at Ogale Junction along the Eket–Port Harcourt expressway, troops impounded a truck loaded with over 3, 000 litres of stolen crude.

More than 2, 100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were found in sacks at Okwuzi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, according to the statement.

The suspected oil thieves fled after seeing the troops, it was explained. At the Ogaji-Ama axis in Bukuma, a wooden boat laden with over 1, 000 litres of stolen crude was intercepted within the creeks.

Additionally, during clearance operations at Imo River, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, 23 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and confiscated over 2, 000 litres of stolen crude.

Additionally, the statement further revealed that troops in Bayelsa State demobilized two wooden boats and recovered one pumping machine, over 3,500 litres of crude from three illegal refining sites at Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA.

More than 2, 000 litres of stolen crude were recovered as a result of a similar operation at Biseni in Yenagoa LGA.

According to the statement, troops stormed a Toyota Camry in Delta State at Oton Village in Sapele LGA with the registration number Anambra JJT 876 AE.

Six suspected oil thieves were apprehended after the vehicle was reportedly carrying 16 cellophane bags containing an undisclosed quantity of illegally refined AGO.