Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 22 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at over ₦150 million during sustained operations across the Niger Delta.
Details of the crackdown were disclosed in a statement issued on December 29, 2025, by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division.
According to the statement, the operations were carried out between November 23 and December 28, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies, as part of efforts to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage in the region.
The army said troops maintained dominance across key operational areas, significantly disrupting criminal activities linked to crude oil theft.
Rivers, Bayelsa Record Major Seizures
In Rivers State, soldiers uncovered 350 sacks containing over 10,500 litres of stolen crude oil in Ogale Community, Eleme Local Government Area. Two illegal refining camps were also destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA.
At Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, troops traced a hose stretching over nine kilometres, which led them to four illegal refining sites equipped with ovens, receivers, and pits filled with crude oil.
In Bayelsa State, an illegal refining site was dismantled at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw LGA, where a reservoir containing more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were recovered.
Further raids around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA resulted in the destruction of additional refining sites and the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a hidden Cotonou boat carrying 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
Delta, Akwa Ibom Operations
In Delta State, soldiers intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor, allegedly offloading 45,000 litres of illegally diverted petroleum products. Other operations in Sapele and Ughelli South LGAs led to arrests and the seizure of illegally refined condensates.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops uncovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Ikot Ntuen Village in Abak LGA, seizing multiple jerricans filled with stolen fuel.
Army Pledges Sustained Action
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged them to sustain the offensive against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs.
He also called on residents of the Niger Delta to support security efforts by providing credible intelligence, stressing that community cooperation is vital to dismantling criminal networks.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national assets and maintaining security across the Niger Delta region.
