Troops Arrest 19 Oil Thieves, Destroy 22 Illegal Refineries in Niger-Delta

According to the Nigerian Army, its 6 Division soldiers have demolished 22 illicit refining facilities around the Niger Delta and detained 19 alleged oil thieves.

Over 180,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, with an estimated market value of N150 million, were recovered as a result of the operation, it said.

Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, made this announcement on Monday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to Danjuma, the raid came after a concerted one-month operation conducted in four states with the help of other security services.

He emphasized that troops will continue to control the operational environment and prevent criminal elements from acting freely, noting that the operations targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and associated crimes in the Niger Delta.

“Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have continued to control the operational environment in close coordination with other security agencies, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action throughout the Niger Delta Region.”

“Over 180,000 liters of stolen products, worth over N150,000,000.00, were recovered, 22 illegal refining hubs were destroyed, and 19 suspected oil thieves were apprehended in multiple operations,” the statement stated.