Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have arrested 38 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 28 illegal refining sites, and recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operations took place in different states of the Niger Delta between May 12 and 18, 2025.
These details were revealed in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma.
He said, “the operations led to the destruction of several locally made boats used for illegal bunkering activities.”
The statement further disclosed that in Rivers State, troops conducted targeted operations around Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests, where an illegal connection was found directly on a wellhead at Ozochi Forest. Follow-up raids led to the discovery of over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens, and an additional 300,000 litres of stolen AGO.
“Six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines, and generators were seized. Three suspects have been taken into custody in connection with these crimes,” he added.
In the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, a truck loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO was intercepted at Alode junction, based on credible intelligence. Additional raids at Obiafor Forest resulted in the arrest of five suspected oil thieves operating a new illegal bunkering site, alongside the seizure of a reservoir containing over 25,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
The troops also demobilised a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil hidden in the creeks at the Olughighi area.
Operations along the Imo River led to the deactivation of seven illegal refining sites, with the seizure of 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers, 38 sacks, and over 7,000 litres of stolen products. A sting operation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA recovered over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil, estimated at 2,500 litres.
Away from Rivers State, the Army deactivated illegal refining sites in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, and Isonogbene Creek, Southern Ijaw LGA of Rivers State, recovering over 3,500 litres of stolen products in total.
The troops in Delta State intercepted crude oil in Ughoton Creeks, Warri South LGA, dismantling three artisanal refineries, and arrested a truck driver at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow Station in Isoko South LGA.
In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak–Ikot Abasi road, a mini-bus loaded with 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO was intercepted. The driver was arrested and is assisting investigations.
Following the feat, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, praised the troops for their operational successes and urged them to “scale up the momentum as the operations progress.”
He reassured that “the welfare of the troops remains a top priority”.
