Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, in joint operations with other security agencies, have dismantled 21 illegal refineries, arrested 36 suspects, and recovered more than 591,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across several states in the Niger Delta.

The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region.Speaking on the operations, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, detailed the scale of the discoveries.

“In Rivers State, around Orashi Game Reserve and Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, our troops uncovered a 15km-long hose linked to an illegal loading point,” he said.

He added that five illegal refining sites were found nearby, including one with a large metal tank holding over 350,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).

“We also discovered a massive dugout with over 100,000 litres of stolen crude,” he said.In another operation at the Imo River fringes, troops dismantled seven illegal sites, seized 1,428 bags of crude (about 21,500 litres), destroyed 38 drum pots and 15 receivers, and demobilised five boats.

Elsewhere in Rivers, a truck carrying 20,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted in Eleme LGA, while in Bonny LGA, a boat containing over 10,000 litres of stolen oil was found hidden in the creeks.

In Bayelsa, a tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen AGO was seized and three suspects were arrested. Another boat with 1,000 litres of crude was also found hidden in Southern Ijaw LGA.

In Akwa Ibom, troops intercepted a tanker suspected of carrying 16,500 litres of stolen crude. “The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the troops,” Danjuma said.In Delta State, two vehicles were caught transporting over 1,250 litres of illegally refined AGO.

At another location in Warri South LGA, 38 sacks containing 1,175 litres of crude were discovered hidden in bushes.Also, in Oshimili South LGA, a Honda vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition, and cash was stopped during a snap check.

“Two fabricated pistols, cartridges, a cutlass, and N25,100 were recovered,” he said.“All arrested suspects and seized items have been handed over to the relevant agencies for further investigation and prosecution,” Danjuma confirmed.

The military continues to intensify efforts to dismantle oil theft operations threatening Nigeria’s economy and environment.