In a sweeping offensive against oil theft and environmental crime, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division — backed by other security agencies — have dismantled 14 illegal refining sites, arrested over 71 suspects, and seized more than 33,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta.
The operations, carried out between July 21 and August 10, spanned Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States, targeting what the Army described as “persistent threats to national economic security.”
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, revealed in a statement that in Rivers State alone, soldiers moved in on two illegal refining hubs along Kilometre 45 in Degema Local Government Area, recovering over 22,500 litres of stolen crude oil. Two wooden boats used in the illicit trade were also disabled.
In Bayelsa State’s Nembe area, a store concealing 16 jerricans of stolen petroleum products was uncovered, while another site in Biseni, Yenagoa, yielded 1,200 litres of stolen fuel.
The crackdown extended to Delta State, where troops intercepted a vehicle at Omuseti junction, Ndokwa West, loaded with 31 jerricans of Automotive Gasoline Oil — all allegedly stolen.
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Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended community informants for aiding the operations.
He stressed that due diligence is observed to confirm the nature of seized products, with legitimate goods returned to rightful owners in line with Operation Delta Safe’s mandate.
“All suspects are being handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution,” the GOC assured. “We remain resolute in our mission to rid the Niger Delta of oil theft and related crimes.”
The Army’s actions come amid renewed federal pressure to curb the multi-billion-naira losses caused by illegal bunkering and refining — a trade that fuels insecurity and environmental degradation in the oil-rich region.