The Nigerian Army says it has arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 22 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products worth about ₦150 million across the Niger Delta.
The operations were carried out by troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies during a coordinated exercise spanning four states in the region.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, the operations, conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025, were aimed at curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related criminal activities.
“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working in close synergy with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational environment, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Niger Delta,” Danjuma said.
He added that the sustained operations led to the arrest of 19 suspects, the destruction of 22 illegal refining hubs and the recovery of stolen petroleum products estimated at over ₦150 million.
In Bayelsa State, Danjuma said troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where a reservoir containing over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were recovered.
He explained that similar operations around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area led to the shutdown of multiple illegal sites and the recovery of more than 17,000 litres of stolen products.
At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat hidden along the riverbank and loaded with 37 sacks containing about 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Rivers State, the army said 350 sacks holding over 10,500 litres of stolen crude were discovered at Ogale community in Eleme LGA, while two illegal refining sites were destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA.
Danjuma said troops also uncovered four illegal refining sites in Orashi Forest, Abua/Odual LGA, after tracing a hose stretching over nine kilometres.
“The sites comprised four large ovens with a capacity of about 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil,” he said.
Additional recoveries were made in Okolomade, Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA, Okrika, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA and OML 18 Alakiri, with over 6,000 litres of condensates seized.
In Delta State, Danjuma said troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into a pit.
He added that two suspects were arrested during another operation in Sapele Local Government Area, where 104 sacks containing over 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
“During routine patrols around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA, troops intercepted two vehicles conveying illegally refined condensates concealed in sacks and jerricans,” Danjuma said, noting that two more suspects were arrested.
In Akwa Ibom State, he said soldiers uncovered a stockpile of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil at a warehouse in Ikot Ntuen village, Abak LGA, where several jerry cans filled with stolen products were seized.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for the successes recorded and urged them to sustain the offensive against oil theft.
“Economic sabotage will not be tolerated, as it undermines national revenue and critical infrastructure,” Emekah said.
He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to support security agencies by providing timely information to help dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
