In the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has detained 43 suspected oil thieves and recovered 254,000 litres of stolen products.
The Army disclosed that 14 illegal refineries and 14 boats used for the unlawful operations were destroyed.
Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, revealed this in a statement made in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Jonah stated that the achievement was the result of a six-day joint operation carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.
The statement reads, “In a reinvigorated onslaught against the criminal enterprise of oil thieves and associated crimes across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), the troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have sustained the pressure on the economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region.
“In multiple operations conducted with other security agencies across the JOA from 31 March – 6 April 2025, troops have recorded significant operational strides.
“These breakthroughs resulted in the arrest of 43 suspected oil thieves and associated crimes, deactivation of 14 artisanal refineries, demobilization of 14 boats used for economic sabotage, with several vehicles intercepted and over 254,000 litres of stolen products confiscated across the NDR.”
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He revealed that in Delta State, troops discovered a large-scale illegal bunkering site located at Old Ogorode in Sapele Local Government Area (LGA).
“Several items were recovered at the site, including one Ford Bus with Registration number Delta KLK 797 HR loaded with 9 drums of 1000 litres each filled with 90,000 litres, 74 drums of 200 litres each stocked with 14,800 litres, and one tank filled with over 20,000 litres of stolen products. Other seizures included nine drums of 200 litres capacity each, estimated to be 1,800 litres, 8 drums of 200 litres each filled with illegally refined engine oil estimated to be over 1,600 litres, 90 empty drums, one empty 5,000 litres capacity tank, eight pumping machines, one Lister generator, and one big generator. This was in addition to two suspected economic saboteurs arrested at the site.
“Additionally, troops also intercepted a Volvo Canter truck with Registration Number Bauchi KTG 166 XC conveying 56 drums of stolen crude oil estimated to be 13,400 litres at Amukpe in Sapele LGA.
“Three suspects have been taken into custody in connection to the seizures. Also, at Ughelli North LGA, a mini tanker conveying 11,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was intercepted,” the statement said.
In Rivers State, within the Ataba area of Andoni Local Government, troops took down several illegal refining camps. The operation led to the recovery of equipment such as pots and receivers, along with more than 80,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“The suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops. At Ogale junction in Eleme LGA, troops intercepted over 80 sacks filled with 3,200 litres of stolen products,” the statement added.
The Army also disclosed that in Okarki Forest, located in Ahoada West Local Government Area, troops raided a large cooking oven containing more than 3,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
It said, “Several items were also recovered at the scene, including a reservoir pit, metal receivers and 100 meters long iron pipes. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, several vehicles were intercepted with unspecified quantities of stolen products recovered, in addition to arrests effected at Aloloba in Kula II general area of Akuku-Toru LGA, Oshie in ONELGA, and Krakrama in Degema LGA.
“Similarly, the ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River is progressing with the desired results.
“Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, around Okordia Community in Yenagoa LGA, troops dismantled an illegal refining site with three ovens, four refining drums, receivers with dug out pits filled with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Furthermore, at Taylor Creek in Biseni, also in YELGA, two illegal refining sites with 8 mini ovens, 7 refining drums, receivers filled with over 5,500 litres of stolen crude were handled.
“While at Clough Creek inand Ekeremor, an illegal refining site with metal drums and ovens were dismantled accordingly. The operation is also taking place in Akwa Ibom State, with the economic saboteurs and associated criminals denied freedom of action.
“All the suspects arrested have been handed over to relevant agencies, while seizures made were handled in accordance to the subsisting operational mandate in the Join Operations Area.”
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, praised the troops for their efforts in carrying out the operation.
Emekah urged key stakeholders to maintain strong collaboration in the fight to eliminate economic saboteurs from the region.
He emphasised that the ongoing efforts would boost oil and gas production in the region, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
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