Nigerian Army Uncovers 11 Illegal Bunkering Sites, Seizes Over 70,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has announced the discovery of 11 illegal bunkering sites and the arrest of seven suspects following a six-day targeted anti-oil theft operation across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.

In a statement issued on Monday by Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesperson for the Army’s 6 Division, Port Harcourt, the operation led to significant seizures, including:

• 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil
• 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel
• 37,700 litres of various other petroleum products

Highlights of the Operation Include:

• In Rivers State, troops raided the Imo River area, uncovering six illegal refineries and recovering 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
  • Equipment dismantled:
    • 41 drum pots
    • 18 drum receivers
    • 540 sack bags filled with stolen oil
  • Troops also disrupted attempts to reconstruct additional illegal sites.
• In Ahoada West, soldiers intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles carrying 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel.
• At Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema, seven suspects were arrested while attempting to vandalize oil infrastructure.
  • Recovered:
    • Three wooden boats containing over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.
• In Delta State, operations along Koko-Obitigbo Road yielded the interception of:
  • 25,200 litres of unspecified petroleum product
  • 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil
  • Recovered from: Two tankers, a truck, and a bus
  • At Oton-Urakpa, Sapele, soldiers uncovered 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel stored in 100 cellophane bags, along with:
    • Three empty drums
    • Two ovens
    • A metallic storage tank
    • Hoses and pipes used in illegal siphoning
• In Bayelsa, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, recovering:
  • 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil
  • 1,500 litres of refined products in Biseni and Okordia (Yenagoa LGA)
• In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted 240 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in jerrycans during a raid along the Okobo-Uyo Road.

Lt. Col. Danjuma confirmed that all arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate security agencies for investigation and prosecution.

“These successful operations demonstrate the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to combating oil theft, economic sabotage, and protecting national assets,” the statement concluded.