The Army said on Sunday that its troops, in the operations against oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantled 16 artisanal refineries, arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and recovered over 67,000 liters of stolen products in the last week
It noted that troops of the 6th Division maintained the trajectory against the criminals, saying, “These efforts paid off in collaboration with other critical stakeholders in operations conducted across the region from 14–20 April 2025.
The Army statement said, “The operations led to the dismantling of 16 artisanal refineries, the arrest of 23 suspected oil thieves and associated crimes, and the recovery of arms and ammunition, with over 62,000 and 5,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) recovered, respectively.
“In Bayelsa State, around Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area (Yelga), troops surged operations against the criminals, which led to the successful deactivation of four illegal refining sites.
“This led to the confiscation of three large concrete reinforced dug-out pits filled with over 35,000 liters of stolen crude from the Wellhead.
“Additionally, over 2,500 liters of illegally refined AGO, with Wellhead valve and pumping machines, were also recovered at the site.
“These heinous crimes were perpetrated through the use of an 80-meter-long pipe connected to the Wellhead used for siphoning crude oil.
“Likewise, along Gbarain — Zarama road and in Yelga, various tricycles conveying stolen products were intercepted.
“Two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the seizures.
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