Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have uncovered a suspected illegal crude oil refining site hidden deep inside the Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The discovery was made on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a major anti-illegal bunkering operation carried out by the troops between 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Security sources said the operation exposed a cache of equipment allegedly deployed for illegal crude oil processing, alongside thousands of litres of suspected stolen crude.
Among the items recovered were eight drum ovens, two coolants, three drum reservoirs and four iron buckets. The troops also found four metal pipes with a combined estimated length of about 200 metres.
In addition, 78 sacks filled with suspected stolen crude oil were recovered from the forest, with the contents estimated at approximately 3,120 litres.
The equipment and crude were reportedly concealed within the thick forest, apparently to evade detection by security personnel and facilitate illicit oil-processing activities.
The recovered materials have been handled in accordance with operational procedures under Operation Delta Safe.
The latest operation forms part of sustained military efforts to dismantle illegal bunkering networks, curb crude oil theft and disrupt activities that continue to threaten oil-producing communities and deprive the country of vital revenue.
Security forces have continued to intensify operations across the Niger Delta, targeting illegal refining camps, stolen crude storage points and other infrastructure allegedly linked to the illicit oil trade.
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