115 Illegal Refining Sites Destroyed by Nigerian Army, 22 Suspects Arrested

The Nigerian Army‘s 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, has dismantled 115 illegal refining sites and seized 66 boats in a series of coordinated operations across Rivers and Bayelsa states. The crackdown also led to the arrest of 22 suspects involved in oil theft and illegal refining.

During the operations, which took place last week, troops recovered 27 stolen pipes, four pumping machines, and clamped down on five illegal connections used by the suspects to siphon crude oil. Over 170,000 liters of stolen products were confiscated, along with other ancillary items.

Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, disclosed these developments in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, September 1.

“Our troops have denied criminal elements and economic saboteurs the freedom to operate, achieving significant success in the process,” Danjuma stated.

The discovery of these illegal refining sites comes just three weeks after the same division uncovered similar operations in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

In Bayelsa State, operations were concentrated in the swampy regions of Ibidi, Twon Brass, and Southern Ijaw LGA. The Army intercepted a large wooden boat carrying over 90,000 liters of illegally refined products and deactivated multiple illegal refining sites, seizing thousands of liters of stolen crude.

See Also

NDIC to disburse N24bn as second tranche payment to Heritage Bank depositors

In Rivers State, the notorious Imo River area was a focal point, where troops destroyed 79 illegal refining sites and 59 wooden boats, recovering over 40,000 liters of stolen products. Acting on intelligence, troops also arrested four suspects in connection with vandalism at an oil installation owned by Webster Global Ventures.

In October 2023, the Nigerian Senate revealed that the country lost N2.3 trillion to the menace of crude oil theft.

Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, reiterated the Army’s commitment to eradicating illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. He called on local communities to cooperate in these efforts, emphasizing the severe environmental and economic damage caused by such illegal activities.