Troops uncover 3,120 litres of stolen crude, refining equipment in Rivers forest
Nigerian Army Discovers Stolen Crude Oil, Illegal Refining Equipment in Rivers State
Ahoada, Rivers State — Troops from the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army have recovered 3,120 liters of stolen crude oil and various pieces of equipment believed to be used for illegal refining operations in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The discovery occurred during an anti-illegal bunkering operation on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, conducted between 10:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops located the equipment hidden within the forest.
During the operation, soldiers found eight drum ovens, two coolants, three drum reservoirs, four iron buckets, and four metal pipes, which together measured approximately 200 meters in length. The troops also seized 78 sacks containing the crude oil.
The items recovered are suspected to have been used for unauthorized oil processing activities in the area. Following the operation, the materials and crude oil were processed according to established procedures under Operation Delta Safe.
