The Defence Headquarters announced on Friday that troops engaged in counter-oil theft and security operations across Nigeria have uncovered and dismantled 16 illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta over the past week.

During the operations, security forces also deactivated 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dug-out pits, and 21 storage tanks, while arresting 11 suspected crude oil thieves and saboteurs.

According to Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, troops successfully prevented the siphoning of crude oil worth over ₦536.7 million. They also confiscated 48 smuggling boats and rescued kidnapped victims.

The operations led to the recovery of: 392,174 litres of stolen crude oil, 138,757 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), 830 litres of petrol (PMS) and 375 litres of kerosene (DPK).

Additional recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and vehicles.

Troops also conducted raids, ambushes, and clearance operations targeting terrorist groups, bandits, and other criminal elements in multiple regions, resulting in: The neutralization of several terrorists and The arrest of gunrunners, oil theft collaborators, and violent extremists

The recovery of large caches of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, pump-action guns, and explosives

In Anambra and Imo States, troops arrested three suspected terrorists and rescued four kidnapped victims.

In Delta and Rivers States, security forces detained six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/insecurity-army-dismantles-16-illegal-refinery-sites-in-niger-delta-arrests-11-oil-thieves/