Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have deactivated seven illegal refining sites and recovered over 109,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
This was carried out in a series of coordinated operations conducted between 10 and 23 November 2025 in Niger Delta.
The operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, also resulted in the arrest of four suspected oil thieves.
The Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, made this known in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the recovered products—comprising 88,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,355 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)—are valued at more than ₦150 million.
In Rivers State, troops raided multiple illegal refining clusters around Okolomade in Ahoada West LGA, dismantling three refining sites equipped with several large pots, receivers and coolants.
The team recovered 40,000 litres of stolen crude and 20,000 litres of adulterated AGO during the raid.
More illegal sites were uncovered on the fringes of the Imo River, where troops located three refining operations with eight drum pots, seven drum receivers and a fibre boat.
Over 14,700 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the Asa, Obeakpo, Lekuma and Abiama axis of Oyigbo LGA.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops also stormed a compound in Abuloma, Okrika LGA, where they discovered 1,050 sacks containing more than 32,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Additionally, soldiers at Abonnema Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA intercepted a Cotonou boat transporting 25 sacks filled with more than 1,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.
In Akwa Ibom State, a raid on a suspected storage hub at Ikot Akpan, Ekparakwa in Abak LGA led to the recovery of 520 litres of illegally refined AGO, along with several empty jerricans likely intended for distribution.
Troops also conducted operations in Delta State, targeting suspected oil thieves at the DAEWOO yard in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA.
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The suspects reportedly fled into the creeks, abandoning wooden boats and three jerricans filled with 75 litres of crude oil.
The Army added that troops in Bayelsa State have continued to deny oil thieves freedom of action through sustained patrols and surveillance.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their resilience and urged them to maintain pressure on economic saboteurs across the region.
He also called on residents to continue supporting military operations by providing actionable intelligence.
The Army reiterated its commitment to dismantling illegal refining networks and protecting the nation’s critical oil infrastructure.
