Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have dismantled 13 illegal bunkering sites and recovered over 300,000 liters of stolen products during operations conducted from January 20 to 26, 2025. This information was shared in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations.
Danuma reported that in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, troops took down three illegal refining sites at the Obiafu Oil Field. These sites, operating in clusters, housed 10 cooking drums, eight reservoirs, and two rolls of hose. In the Abalama Community of Asari-Toru LGA, troops discovered jerricans that were cleverly concealed and contained over 1,500 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) and dual-purpose kerosene (DPK).
Additionally, four illegal refining sites were found in Abacheke, also within ONELGA, where 145 locally made oven drums were deactivated. Danjuma noted that troops recovered more than 9,200 liters of stolen AGO stored in sacks and reservoirs, and eight suspects associated with these operations were apprehended.
In Okoromadi, located in Abua Odual LGA, troops raided another illegal refining site, uncovering four boilers and receivers while searching for suspects. In Edo State, a significant pool containing 252,000 liters of stolen crude oil was located in the Ugo Community of Orhiomwon Local Government Area. The spokesperson emphasized that troops also recovered pumping machines, hoses, and pipes believed to have been used in the operation.
In Delta State, at Asade Community in Ethiope West Local Government Area, troops intercepted a DAF tanker truck with a capacity of 30,000 liters, which was siphoning crude oil from a PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited pipeline. It was found that over 15,000 liters of crude oil had already been stolen before the truck was stopped.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided a storage facility in Ikot Abia, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, recovering more than 30 polythene bags filled with stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, at Isonogbene in Brass Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites were dismantled, leading to the recovery of over 5,000 liters of stolen crude oil.
While commending the troops for their efforts, the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, who also leads the land component of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to eliminating oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He cautioned economic saboteurs to adopt legitimate means of livelihood or face increased military action.
