Army destroys 23 illegal refineries, arrests IPOB members

PUNCH

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, said its troops arrested 25 suspected oil thieves, four of whom are members of the disbanded Indigenous People of Biafra.

Also, the Army said the operatives destroyed 23 illegal refining sites and recovered 45,000 stolen products in the Niger Delta.

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday and sent to newsmen.

Danjuma said the suspected IPOB members were arrested in Oshimili LGA of Dekta State, following a series of operations conducted by troops in the Niger Delta region between January 12 to 19, 2025.

The statement said, “Troops 6 Division have continued the push against economic sabotage and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) with several successes recorded.

“These operations led to the deactivation of 23 illegal artisanal refineries, the destruction of 14 boats, and the arrest of 25 oil thieves, including four suspected members of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra in Delta State, with over 45,000 litres of stolen products recovered.