Military Dismantles 19 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta, Seizes Over 589,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products

In a concerted effort to combat crude oil theft and environmental degradation, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully dismantled 19 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region. The operations, conducted between May 19 and 25, 2025, also led to the arrest of 20 suspected oil thieves and the recovery of over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, the operations targeted various locations in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states. In Rivers State, troops uncovered several illegal refining sites in the Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi forests within the Abua/Odual Local Government Area. These sites housed eight cooking ovens and massive storage facilities containing over 300,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and more than 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

Further operations along the fringes of the Imo River led to the destruction of nine illegal refining sites, where troops seized 23 drum pots, ten drum receivers, 321 sacks, and over 16,000 litres of stolen products. In Ndoni, Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area, 245 sacks filled with 12,500 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered.

In Delta State, an illegal refining site was uncovered at Jeddo in Okpe Local Government Area, yielding over 1,000 litres of stolen products stored in polythene bags. Additionally, in Ogbu Aladja, Warri South Local Government Area, several illegal refining sites were deactivated, and numerous sacks filled with unquantified illegally refined AGO were recovered.

Bayelsa State operations led to the dismantling of an illegal refining site around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, where four cooking ovens, drums, and receivers were destroyed, and several litres of stolen products were confiscated.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained dominance over land, waterways, and creeks, effectively denying economic saboteurs and associated criminals freedom of action.

The arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution, while the confiscated products have been managed in accordance with existing operational mandates. Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to intensifying efforts to identify and dismantle other illegal refining sites, thereby creating an enabling environment for legitimate exploration activities to thrive in the region.

These operations are part of a broader initiative to curb militancy, prevent environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure vital to Nigeria’s economy.