Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in a recent crackdown on crude oil theft and related crimes across the Niger Delta region.
In a statement, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operations, conducted from March 24 to 30, 2025, in collaboration with sister security agencies, led to the seizure of over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and other illicit materials.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted an inbuilt fabricated twin tank containing 18,000 litres of stolen crude along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA). A MAN Diesel container truck, loaded with an unquantified volume of stolen crude and concealed under sawdust, was also seized. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the troops.
Further operations along the Imo River led to the destruction of several illegal refining sites, with over 15,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. In Rumuekpe Forest, Ahoada East LGA, two additional sites were dismantled, yielding 2,800 litres of stolen petroleum products. Similar raids took place in Ebocha, Omoku (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA), and Jelikri Creek (Degema LGA), where refining equipment such as drum ovens, metal pipes, and hoses were destroyed.
In Bayelsa State, troops raided illegal refining hubs in Adibawa (Yenagoa LGA) and Okighene (Southern Ijaw LGA), recovering over 9,500 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).
Operations in Delta State saw troops confiscating jerricans filled with illicit AGO at Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, while illegal refining materials were destroyed in Akwa Ibom State. The sustained military presence has reportedly limited the movement of oil thieves in the region.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, urged troops to intensify their crackdown on crude oil theft, ensuring a secure environment for legitimate exploration activities. He warned perpetrators to abandon illegal operations or face the full weight of the law.
