Military Recovers 1.2 Million Litres of Stolen Crude in Niger Delta Operation

In a decisive operation, Nigerian troops recover 1.2 million litres of stolen crude oil in the Niger Delta, striking a blow against illegal bunkering and safeguarding national resources.

Nigerian Army forces have reclaimed 1.2 million liters of stolen crude oil, dismantled 56 unauthorized refineries, and apprehended 17 alleged oil thieves in the Niger Delta.

Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, revealed this information in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

He reported that troops additionally demolished 88 cooking drums and 20 boats associated with illicit activities across the four states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.

Danjuma revealed that the operations carried out from November 25 to December 1, 2024, led to the shutdown of 56 illegal oil bunkering sites.

The troops additionally detained 17 suspects, seized seven vehicles, uncovered six illegal pipeline connections, and demolished several facilities involved in economic sabotage.

According to the statement, “The troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, along with other security agencies, have intensified their efforts in anti-illegal bunkering operations throughout the Niger Delta Region and are leaving noticeable operational marks.”

Between November 25 and December 1, 2024, operations resulted in the deactivation of more than 56 illegal oil bunkering sites, along with the dismantling of 88 cooking drums and seizure of 20 boats. Additionally, over 1.2 million liters of stolen crude were recovered.

Additional actions included the arrest of 17 individuals suspected of oil theft, the interception of seven vehicles, the discovery of six illegal connection points, and the destruction of five motorcycles used in economic sabotage throughout the region.

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In Rivers State, near Kula I in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered an illegal tap on a 36-inch government pipeline and confiscated 100,000 liters of stolen products from an underground reservoir. Meanwhile, in Omoku within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, authorities discovered an abandoned truck containing 35,000 liters of stolen crude oil. In Degema LGA operations led to the dismantling of eight illegal refineries with officials seizing 27,000 liters of pilfered crude and arresting three suspects involved.

In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled 15 illegal refining sites in Okordia Forest within Yenagoa LGA. They recovered more than 755,000 liters of stolen crude oil and 53,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). In Biseni Forest, they deactivated an additional 12 illegal sites and seized 34,000 liters of stolen crude along with 5,500 liters of AGO.

In Delta State, within the Ugo Community of Edo State, troops recovered more than 40,000 liters of stolen crude and apprehended a suspect who directed them to a bunkering site. Furthermore, in Warri South LGA, they seized 2,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and arrested four suspects.

At Enwang Bridge in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted 5,580 liters of petroleum motor spirit as smugglers tried to transport the product to a neighboring country.

Danjuma stated that this achievement resulted from intensifying the battle against illegal oil bunkering, which led to a series of raids across various illicit bunkering locations in four states between November 25 and December 1, 2024.