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Army destroys 15 illegal refineries, arrests 10 suspects
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has reported that its troops have destroyed no fewer than 15 illegal crude oil refining sites and arrested 10 suspects across various locations in the Niger Delta region.
The Army stated that the sites destroyed were located in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
Additionally, the Army disclosed that about 115,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered during the operation carried out by troops of the 6 Division.
The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Danjuma said the achievement was a result of the Army’s resolute stance in its ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations and expressed satisfaction with the tremendous successes recorded across the operational landscape.
He said, “In the latest push, troops have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested 10 suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, intercepted eleven vehicles, several boats, and confiscated over 115,000 litres of stolen products in various operations conducted in the region.”
The 6 Division spokesman noted that the operations also resulted in the recovery of several other items used for economic sabotage in the joint operational area.
“In Rivers State, following a tip-off on oil theft around SIAT Farm, Elele in the Ikwerre Local Government Area, troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck with registration number GDD 831 ZN Anambra, loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Similarly, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of three illegal refining sites and the destruction of two wooden boats, with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
“This success was also recorded at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, where four illegal refining sites were taken down, and two wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 6,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“At the stretch of the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites and makeshift structures in camps, including one big pot and over 30 cooking drum pots. They also destroyed four wooden boats, one fibre boat, and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor, and Ukwa Creeks, in accordance with the existing mandate.
“Additionally, at Freedom Kula in Akuku-Toru LGA, troops discovered a pipeline vandalism site where three gas cylinders were recovered. Further exploitation of the area led to the arrest of one suspect.
“At Ebocha, OB II, and Obiafu Ndoni, four suspects were arrested with over 4,000 litres of stolen condensates in a Toyota Camry with registration number ZKW 648 AA Kaduna, and a tricycle at Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA. Meanwhile, at Omoku, five inactive illegal refining sites with several empty metal drums were destroyed, and two suspects were arrested at Orashi River with significant quantities of stolen condensates.
“The reinvigorated clampdown also yielded results in Bayelsa State. This was evident around Sabasuo general area in Nembe LGA, where active illegal refining sites were deactivated, and over 2,800 litres of stolen products were recovered.”
Furthermore, he said at Amalakiri in Southern Ijaw, one active illegal refining site was dismantled, with over 2,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Troops also intercepted a wooden boat laden with over 1,800 litres of stolen AGO in sacks around Idewa/Waribokiri general area in Ogbia LGA.
“In Delta State, a trailer with registration number JJN 167 ZU Plateau was intercepted siphoning crude from a Nigerian Petroleum Development Company oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA.
“Two persons have been arrested in connection to the crime. Several other vehicles loaded with stolen products were intercepted at Obi Anyima Community in Ika South LGA and Ugo Community in Orhiomwon, Edo State, during follow-up operations.
“The situation in Akwa Ibom State also recorded some measure of success, as troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted three drums of Premium Motor Spirit at the fringes of Oron waterways.”
“The products were suspected to have been prepared for smuggling to a neighboring country. Troops have continued to maintain vigilance in the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the state to deny economic saboteurs and their collaborators the freedom of action.”
Members of the Enugu State Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji , Rt. Hon. Martins Oke and Hon Anayo Onwuegbu have welcomed Rt. Hon. Dennis Agbo and Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta of Labour Party, (LP) to the PDP fold.
They observed that the visionary leadership of Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba in Enugu State has ignited massive decamps and unprecedented upsurge of membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state.
The caucus in a statement issued after the two members of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo of Igboeze North/ Udenu and Chidi Mark Obeta who represents Nsukka/Igboeze South formally announced their transfer of membership to PDP at the resumption of House plenary on Tuesday said it was gladdening to receive them into the PDP fold.
They stressed that PDP in Enugu State was witnessing a great rebirth as a result of the transformative development agenda being unleashed in various sectors of the economy of the state by Governor Mba which has received global commendations.
The Enugu State caucus Leader, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji on behalf of the members further noted that Governor Mba’s investments in infrastructure, agro economy, and security among others have made Enugu State a tourist’s haven adding that with the good governance structure he has put in place, his second tenure would be a walkover.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, along with twenty-one other former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), elected into the Assembly has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a major realignment of political stakeholders across the state.
The defection of the twenty-two lawmakers has effectively transformed the Delta State House of Assembly into a one-party legislature, as the remaining seven members were originally elected on the ticket of the APC.
Announcing the development on Tuesday during the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Speaker stated that the decision was the result of extensive consultations with their constituents and political leaders throughout the state.
He emphasized that the move aligned with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
While expressing appreciation to members for their contributions so far, Guwor urged the House to ensure the completion of all pending bills as the second legislative session nears its end.
He noted that the political shift towards the APC was in response to the realignment of stakeholders and the desire to align with the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“The mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the All Progressives Congress was made in the overall interest of Deltans and the state,” the Speaker said.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations held on April 23 and which cumulated on the official reception on April 28, 2025, at the Government House and the Cenotaph, respectively.
He said: “We are fully committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver greater development to Deltans.
“On behalf of the House, I commend the courage and visionary leadership of our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in making this strategic and timely decision.
“As a legislative body, we stand with His Excellency in this endeavour. This renewed partnership between the state and Federal Government must be supported and allowed to flourish, so that we can begin to enjoy its benefits in the shortest possible time.”
He informed the House that he had received twenty-two letters (including his own) notifying of the change of party affiliation from the PDP to the APC.
The defection, he said, was driven by instability within the PDP’s national leadership and factional divisions within the South-South Zonal Executive Committee, leading to internal conflicts and disunity within the party.
Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Speaker affirmed the constitutional basis for the defection.
“With this action, the Delta State House of Assembly is now composed entirely of members from the All Progressives Congress. We thank our constituents for endorsing this progressive course of action”.
A motion to adopt the letters of party change was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, who represents Isoko South II.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary, the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reiterated that the defection was prompted by the crisis within the PDP.
“Our decision was based on the instability at the national level and the factionalization at the South-South level. Consequently, we chose to move to the ruling All Progressives Congress, in accordance with Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” he said.
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