Nigerian Army troops deactivating illegal oil refinery. Photo credit: @NigerianArmyInfo
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
The Army authority disclosed this in a post issued on Monday via its X handle @NigeriaArmyInfo
The Army said in several operations conducted, 19 suspected oil thieves were apprehended, with 22 illegal refining hubs destroyed, and over 180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000.00), recovered.
It said the operations were conducted between 23 November and 28 December 2025, targeting oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the NDR.
“In the operations that ensued in Bayelsa State, at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), an illegal refining site was deactivated with a massive reservoir filled with over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as a pumping machine recovered.
“Relatedly, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops conducted multiple operations, which led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
In Rivers State, at Ogale Community in Eleme LGA, troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude.
Around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, with sacks and a reservoir filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered”, the Army said.
It added that: “A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, where troops traced a long hose which spanned over 9 kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising four large ovens with a capacity of 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil. In addition, a pumping machine with five large reservoirs were destroyed.
“While at Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual LGA, 31 sacks filled with 2,325 litres of stolen crude, concealed in the bush along the Okomade–Otuasega Road were confiscated.
Troops also received credible information on a daring attempt by suspected oil thieves to compromise a pipeline around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA.
Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one 9.9 HP Yamaha engine and four units of 25-litre jerricans.
Seizures were also made around Okrika LGA, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, as well as OML 18 Alakiri, with a cumulative recovery of over 6,000 litres of condensates.
