Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against oil theft and pipeline sabotage across the Niger Delta Region (NDR), arresting 50 suspects and dismantling 11 illegal refining sites between June 30 and July 13, 2025.
According to Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 6 Division, Nigerian Army Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations, conducted in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States, also led to the seizure of over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the discovery of numerous illegal connection points used by criminals to siphon crude oil.
In Rivers and Abia States, troops destroyed multiple illegal refining sites along the Imo River and recovered more than 6,000 litres of crude oil and several makeshift processing facilities, including 35 drum pots and 14 drum receivers. In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops dismantled a major site containing 6,000 litres of illegally refined products, including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
In Delta State, patrols intercepted two boats loaded with 86 sacks containing over 1,720 litres of stolen products along Jeddo waterways and Ugbokodo creek. A raid on a store in Obiaruku Community also uncovered 24 jerricans of illegally refined AGO.
Bayelsa State operations led to the recovery of tools used for pipeline vandalism at Ikarama and the arrest of suspects in Southern Ijaw LGA. In Akwa Ibom, troops uncovered 15 jerricans of AGO in a warehouse at Ukanafun LGA.
The military has vowed to sustain its dominance of the region’s waterways and hinterlands, reaffirming its commitment to curbing economic sabotage and restoring stability in the Niger Delta.
