The Nigerian Army’s 6th Division conducted extensive operations in the Niger Delta region from April 14th to the 20th, 2025.
During these operations, 16 artisanal refineries were dismantled, 23 individuals wanted for oil theft and other crimes were arrested, and weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Furthermore, over 5,000 liters of illicitly refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and over 62,000 liters of stolen crude oil were also found.
The operations produced significant results in the South-South zone, according to a statement issued on Sunday evening by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who is serving as the division’s acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations.
In Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, military stepped up their activities near the Adibawa Oando Wellhead, deactivating four illicit refining installations. Three huge, dug-out pits with concrete reinforcements contained more than 35,000 liters of stolen crude oil, which the forces seized at the spot.
They also found a wellhead valve, many pumping devices, over 2,500 liters of AGO that had been illegally processed, and more. An 80-meter-long pipe was utilized in the illicit operation to extract crude oil from the wellhead.
Troops detained two individuals they believed were involved in the operation and seized multiple tricycles containing stolen petroleum products along the Gbarain-Zarama Road, which is also within the local government territory.
Six artisanal refineries in Rivers State were dismantled as a consequence of clearance operations along the Imo River. In the locations of Obuzor and Okoloma in Abia State and Rivers State, respectively, troops confiscated 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, 1,100 sacks containing more than 22,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, and the illegal possession of 24 drum receivers.
Troops, acting on information gathered from human sources, seized a wooden boat in Okrika Creek that contained more than 2,500 liters of crude oil that had been taken from the NNPC Jetty in Okrika.
Three purchasers and three vendors of illicit petroleum products were apprehended in the Kula general area (Akuku-Toru LGA). The seizure of three tugboats and one fiber boat, which were carrying more than 1,500 liters of illicitly processed AGO in jerricans, was facilitated by their capture.
A wooden boat laden with stolen goods was apprehended during operations at Obohia Road to Obrikom Waterside in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Additional seizures occurred in the local government area of Okwuzi and in the Ahoada West LGA’s Okarki Forest.