Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against crude oil theft across the Niger Delta, recording major successes between 11 and 24 August 2025.
In a statement on Sunday 24th, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 6 Division Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said uring the period, nine illegal refining sites were dismantled, 69 suspects arrested, and over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted two trucks carrying more than 15,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Sapele Local Government Area (LGA), leading to the arrest of three suspects. Additional recoveries included 16 bags of AGO in One Man Village, Sapele, and multiple drums and jerricans of illegally refined products in Nana Town, Warri North.
In Rivers State, troops deactivated three refining sites in Degema LGA, recovering more than 7,000 litres of stolen products and seizing a wooden boat. Similar operations in Omoku (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA) uncovered two boats loaded with stolen condensates and a pit containing 1,500 litres. In Oyigbo and Okrika, illegal refining facilities were dismantled, with several drums, condensates, and crude oil recovered. Three suspects were arrested.
Elsewhere in Rivers, troops seized a fibre boat, pipes, and valves in Andoni LGA, while two illegal refining sites were destroyed along the Imo River axis, with over 2,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
In Bayelsa State, soldiers uncovered a refining site in Yenagoa LGA, where two reservoirs holding more than 7,000 litres of stolen crude, along with drums and receivers, were destroyed. In Akwa Ibom, troops maintained a firm presence, preventing oil thieves from operating.
All arrested suspects have been handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution, while recovered products were managed in line with established protocols
