Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves and uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites across the Niger Delta Region during a coordinated crackdown between May 26 and June 8, 2025.
Confirming the report, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, resulted in the recovery of over 161,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Bayelsa State, troops discovered multiple illegal connection points and refining sites along Zarama-Joinkrama 4 and in Biseni Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area. At Wellhead 10, an illegal connection linked to an unauthorized refining site was uncovered, yielding five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, dugout pits, a generator, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Similarly, in Biseni Community, troops seized numerous refining equipment, including 19 large pots, 18 drums, 36 drum receivers, 19 drum coolants, a pumping machine, and approximately 27,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 460 sacks. Additionally, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was confiscated.
Operations at Luka Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA led to the discovery of an illegal refining site where over 1,500 litres of stolen products were seized. In Ekeremor LGA’s Tamogbene area, troops recovered 71 large pipes, 30 small pipes concealed under logs, a 40HP engine, and a wooden boat. Two suspected vandals fled on sighting the troops.
In Rivers State, the troops intercepted a fiber boat, a wooden boat, and a large wooden barge loaded with more than 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), arresting eight suspects connected to the crime. In Okrika LGA’s Dorger Land Community, a wooden boat carrying nearly 19,000 litres of PMS was intercepted, and three suspects were taken into custody. Other seizures were made at Okarki Forest, Banana Creek in Ahoada West, and Degema LGAs. At Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an illegal refining site was uncovered, with cooking ovens, drums, and over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Troops also intercepted a truck at Oyingbo loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in sacks, and in Omoku, over 2,700 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were seized in 45 sacks.
In Akwa Ibom State, a suspected oil thief was arrested at Ekparakwa, Ikot Abasi-Oruk Anam LGA, transporting 63 nylon bags containing more than 1,900 litres of stolen AGO in an Infinity Jeep. Additionally, two suspects were apprehended along Abak-Ikot Abasi road with over 840 litres of PMS in a Toyota Camry.
In Delta State, troops uncovered two wooden boats loaded with over 3,600 litres of stolen crude in Warri South LGA’s Obodo, Ugbukoko, Jatumi, and Obofo Oil Fields. At Bennett Ogboloja, also in Warri South LGA, two illegal refining sites, ovens, pumping machines, and drums of illegally refined AGO were seized. In Sapele LGA’s Urakpa Gana waterside, four suspects were arrested with 57 sacks containing over 1,800 litres of stolen condensates. Troops also intercepted two Toyota vehicles loaded with 1,630 litres of condensates in 47 bags.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their resilience and dedication in the ongoing anti-oil theft operations. He urged them to sustain the momentum and remain vigilant to ensure the security and economic stability of the Niger Delta region.
