Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have intensified their crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, deactivating seven illegal refining sites and recovering more than 109,000 litres of stolen petroleum products between 10 and 23 November 2025.
According to Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 6 Division, Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the joint operations—conducted in collaboration with other security agencies—led to the arrest of four suspected oil thieves and the recovery of over 88,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,355 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The seized products are valued at more than ₦150 million.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered and dismantled three illegal refining camps around Okolomade in Ahoada West Local Government Area. The sites contained three large cooking pots, four big receivers and three coolants. More than 40,000 litres of stolen crude and 20,000 litres of refined AGO were recovered.
Along the Imo River fringes in Oyigbo LGA, troops discovered three additional illegal refining sites equipped with eight drum pots, seven drum receivers and a fibre boat. The operation also yielded over 14,700 litres of stolen crude around the Asa, Obeakpo, Lekuma and Abiama areas.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops raided a compound in Abuloma, Okrika LGA, where they found 1,050 sacks containing more than 32,000 litres of stolen crude. At Abonnema Creek in Akuku-Toru LGA, a Cotonou boat laden with 25 sacks and over 1,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was intercepted.
In Akwa Ibom State, operatives raided a suspected storage point at Ikot Akpan, Ekparakwa in Abak LGA, recovering over 520 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in drums and jerricans. Several empty containers were also seized.
Troops in Delta State carried out an operation at the DAEWOO yard in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA. Suspected vandals fled into nearby creeks on sighting the soldiers, abandoning wooden boats filled with jerricans. Three 25-litre jerricans containing 75 litres of crude oil were recovered. Operations continued across Bayelsa State, where troops maintained pressure to restrict the activities of oil thieves.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their sustained efforts and urged them to maintain momentum in denying economic saboteurs freedom of action. He also appealed to residents of the region to support ongoing operations by providing credible intelligence.
