The Nigerian Army has dismantled 19 illegal refining sites and seized over 170,000 liters of stolen diesel and gasoline in a large-scale operation across the Niger Delta region.
The operations, conducted between December 2 and 8, 2024, involved troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in collaboration with other security agencies. The raids led to multiple arrests, the demobilization of 21 boats used to transport stolen crude oil, and the confiscation of various equipment used for illegal bunkering.
During the operations, troops intercepted boats carrying tens of thousands of liters of illegally refined diesel and gasoline. Authorities also uncovered multiple makeshift refineries concealed in forested areas and waterways in the Niger Delta, which is home to Nigeria’s vast oil reserves.
In one instance, troops seized 12,040 liters of gasoline intended for smuggling out of the country. In another, they arrested four suspects transporting more than 7,000 liters of stolen crude oil in a truck.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
