₦airaland Forum

By Andrew Haruna | Port Harcourt

In a major crackdown on oil theft and economic sabotage, troops of the Nigerian Army's 6 Division have arrested 62 suspects, dismantled 14 illegal refining sites, and seized over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across parts of the Niger Delta between July 14 and 20, 2025, The Bureau Newspaper reports.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, who said the operations were carried out in conjunction with other security agencies across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.

Illegal Refining Sites Deactivated in Rivers

In Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, troops uncovered six illegal refining sites near an abandoned wellhead in Joinkrama 4. They destroyed six large ovens, reservoirs, and receivers containing about 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Troops also recovered a generator set, welding machine, and other equipment from the site.

At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), more illegal refining camps were shut down. Soldiers found three dug-out pits, two of which held over 5,700 litres of stolen crude oil, while the third contained an unquantified volume of AGO. Two boats filled with ten sacks of condensates were also intercepted along the riverside.

Interceptions in Ikwerre and Bayelsa

In Elele Town, Ikwerre LGA, troops stopped a Sienna vehicle without a registration number, loaded with 32 sacks of AGO totaling 1,920 litres. Nearby, they uncovered an illegal connection point and a dug-out pit containing 1,200 litres of condensates.

Recovered from the area were three 150-meter hoses, eight metal drums, and multiple refining ovens.

Meanwhile, in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa, the Army deactivated four illegal refining sites and four dug-out pits, confiscating over 10,000 litres of AGO and dismantling five cooking ovens used in the illegal refining process.

Arrests in Delta, Continued Operations in Akwa Ibom

Following a tip-off in Delta State, troops stormed Gana Road in Sapele LGA from Javel Sharp Sand Waterside and apprehended two suspects with two boats loaded with 30 cellophane bags containing over 1,500 litres of refined AGO.

In Akwa Ibom State, soldiers maintained heavy presence in vulnerable areas, effectively disrupting the operations of oil thieves and criminal elements.

GOC Commends Troops

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended his men for their efforts and urged them to sustain the tempo to prevent saboteurs from regrouping.

“These achievements show our commitment to protecting Nigeria’s resources. Our troops will continue to dominate the operational environment,” he said.

Source: https://thebureau.com.ng/news-updates-in-nigeria-today/crime/nigerian-forces-seizes-350000-litres-of-stolen-fuel-shut-down-14-illegal-refineries/

Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

If it's was the North that has this oil , I doubt the Nigeria army will have the guy to near the site where the illegal oil is refine

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

The products would be substandard and would cause damage to car engines and the environment.

with what is left ofthat NATION, some people are still planning to take CRUMBLES LEFT

Illegal refineries working , Government own is decayed . What am irony .

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

You mean allow criminals to steal fuel, produce substandard products, put human lives at risk......contaminate pms in Nigeria ...seriously...the way some people think though

ggood:
If it's was the North that has this oil , I doubt the Nigeria army will have the guy to near the site where the illegal oil is refine

just like we hardly hear them arresting illegal gold miners or other resources in the north.

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

Only diesel and kerosene can be refined in this manner

More Importantly it cannot be done in an environmentally friendly manner.

The land is polluted and so is the air

In a few years there will be endemic breathing disorders in Rivers state because this was allowed to go on for so long

What of the one being stolen by NNPC
What of the one being loaded on ship by nnpc bosses
Oga. Make we rest from selected crackdown
Until we here probe of NNPC officials, all these ones are mere media posturing

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

Same way you don't see anything wrong with people producing unwholesome fake drugs that kill people.

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

Just like they are allowing people produce their own Hennessey and medicines in Onitsha market.

Niger Delta & Oil na 5&6 can you imagine this country?

These activities were more prevalent and unchallenged during PDP era and people will say PDP is better. Nigerians have short memories and are ungrateful.
Economic stealing and sabotage were a normal thing during that time. Asari Dokubo, Tompolo, Atemi, Loafboy etc all became overnight billionaires by PDP negligence. But now oil Subsidy fraud gone, Forex fraud gone, Oil bunkery fraud fading away gradually. I dont expect over night miracle on all nigerian's problems. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Ride on Asiwaju and Ribadu.

Ghen....

Meanwhile, read some Food for Thought:
https://www.nairaland.com/8393513/random-musings-thought-provoking-nuggets

Editorialtimes:
By Andrew Haruna | Port Harcourt


Source: https://thebureau.com.ng/news-updates-in-nigeria-today/crime/nigerian-forces-seizes-350000-litres-of-stolen-fuel-shut-down-14-illegal-refineries/

Although the Nigerian Military deserves commendation for this act of patriotic zeal... But it's time we do not use our hands to quench the enterprising spirit in the hearts of other patriots...

I am aware that apart from crude oil ben extracted... other natural minerals around the country are been exploited without documentation...

For us to grow and flourish we need these small and medium businesses... whether those extracting natural resources, or manufacturing, or trading, or any other good venture... We need to encourage them...

It is needful for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to sensitize entrepreneurs on how to be incorporated in Nigeria... because taxes from these businesses are needful for our national development...

I request that our gallant military release these persons... and instruct them to properly register their businesses...

Remember... Nigeria: Good people, Great nation...

Good Job.

This will make the forum more interesting for everyone.

Emmacolinho:
Allow people to refine their fuel and tax them. This way, the price of pms will crash and the economy will get better IGR

You want your car engine to end up on the scrap heap?

It is easy to refine fuel. Quality fuel is much harder.

san4P:
Although the Nigerian Military deserves commendation for this act of patriotic zeal... But it's time we do not use our hands to quench the enterprising spirit in the hearts of other patriots...

I am aware that apart from crude oil ben extracted... other natural minerals around the country are been exploited without documentation...

For us to grow and flourish we need these small and medium businesses... whether those extracting natural resources, or manufacturing, or trading, or any other good venture... We need to encourage them...

It is needful for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to sensitize entrepreneurs on how to be incorporated in Nigeria... because taxes from these businesses are needful for our national development...

I request that our gallant military release these persons... and instruct them to properly register their businesses...

Remember... Nigeria: Good people, Great nation...

NO, you should get government to issue licences to people who will build mini refineries, not to people like these guys who have one large metal barrel being heated over fire.

The chap that would build a proper mini refinery would get qualified people to build it and to refine fuel to international standard. These guys? They will make the kind of fuel that would work...while slowly making your engine become like a stage 4 cancer victim.

You said my mind. Such fuel is hardly well-refined.

Urgent1Million:
The products would be substandard and would cause damage to car engines and the environment.

What's illegal, let them work and license them so there can be competition,
Because it doesn't belong to dangote or otedola or a zillionaires, they don't matter

OK

How come ?


and fuel is so expensive ,.

this are part of the people who does not want the good of Nigerians ,


we know that nothing might be done to them.


Evil doers



Princess Faith Chukwu

Why can't the government empower these people and legalize their operations and set minimum quality standards? This will create jobs, improve security, reduce criminality, and give these people a sense of ownership over their God given resource.
If NW folks can mine their gold, why shouldn't SS folks refine their oil??

[b]NB: [/b]During the civil war, easterners were able to refine crude throughout the war. That's why there was no fuel scarcity in the east during the war. It shows local people in the area can safely engage in small scale crude refining. Why cant this be supported?

Urgent1Million:
The products would be substandard and would cause damage to car engines and the environment.

Then the government should get them registered and empower them with the necessary training and monitor their activities as well.

The positive impact will be huge on the economy.

I have problem with where they said a Sienna vehicle was caught with 1,200 litres of AGO which is diesel or gas. I put it to them that except the Sienna is a new type of truck vehicle that I don't know of. No Sienna can carry such amount of litres of anything crude.
.
And secondly all this ones are caught bcus they're not paying dues to the right channel. This has been going on for decades and the army and govt knows about them. If you dey settle well no probs, but if you become stingy yawa for you.

ggood:
If it's was the North that has this oil , I doubt the Nigeria army will have the guy to near the site where the illegal oil is refine

And how did you know northerners are not among the owners of those illegal refineries?

Seems Sahara Reporters didn't have any Reporters in place to deliver this news. 😉

lailo:
These activities were more prevalent and unchallenged during PDP era and people will say PDP is better. Nigerians have short memories and are ungrateful.
Economic stealing and sabotage were a normal thing during that time. Asari Dokubo, Tompolo, Atemi, Loafboy etc all became overnight billionaires by PDP negligence. But now oil Subsidy fraud gone, Forex fraud gone, Oil bunkery fraud fading away gradually. I dont expect over night miracle on all nigerian's problems. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Ride on Asiwaju and Ribadu.

Tompolo and asari that now back tinubu?

Okay o. Na so e go be

Editorialtimes:
By Andrew Haruna | Port Harcourt


Source: https://thebureau.com.ng/news-updates-in-nigeria-today/crime/nigerian-forces-seizes-350000-litres-of-stolen-fuel-shut-down-14-illegal-refineries/

Illegal refineries and bunkering destroys the economy