The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 22 illegal refining sites and recovered over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at about N150m across the Niger Delta.
The Army said the achievements followed a nearly one-month coordinated operation carried out in four states in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Monday and made available to newsmen.
According to Danjuma, the operations targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related crimes in the Niger Delta, stressing that troops would continue to dominate the operational environment and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
The statement read, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Niger Delta Region.
“In several operations conducted, 19 suspected oil thieves were apprehended, with 22 illegal refining hubs destroyed, and over 180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000.00), recovered.
“The operations were conducted between 23 November and 28 December 2025, targeting oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the NDR.”
Giving a breakdown of the operations, Danjuma said that at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, an illegal refining site was deactivated, with a massive reservoir containing over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine recovered.
He added, “Relatedly, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA also in Bayelsa State, troops conducted multiple operations, which led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.
“At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
“In Ogale Community, Eleme LGA of Rivers State, troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude. Around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, with sacks and a reservoir filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
“A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, where troops traced a long hose which spanned over 9 kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising four large ovens with a capacity of 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.
“In addition, a pumping machine with five large reservoirs was destroyed. While at Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual LGA, 31 sacks filled with 2,325 litres of stolen crude, concealed in the bush along the Okomade–Otuasega Road were confiscated.
“Also in Rivers State, troops also received credible information on a daring attempt by suspected oil thieves to compromise a pipeline around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA.”
He said troops were swiftly mobilised to the area and made several recoveries.
He continued, “Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one 9.9 HP Yamaha engine and four units of 25-litre jerricans.
“Seizures were also made around Okrika LGA, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, as well as OML 18 Alakiri, with a cumulative recovery of over 6,000 litres of condensates.”
On operations in Delta State, Danjuma said, “Relatedly, in Delta State, troops swooped on a truck with Registration Number SAG 292 XB along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor.”
He explained that the vehicle was intercepted while discharging 45,000 litres of diverted products into a Premium Motor Spirit pit.
He added that troops also acted on credible intelligence on illegal bunkering activities behind Deeper Life Camp in Sapele Local Government Area, where two suspected oil thieves were arrested.
Danjuma further stated, “In the operations conducted, a total of 104 sacks filled with over 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
“While on routine patrol around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA, troops intercepted two vehicles with Registration Number Delta PTN 140 AA and a Toyota Hiace mini shuttle bus with Registration Number Anambra AWK 302 ZD, conveying illegally refined condensates.
“The stolen products were concealed in sacks and jerricans and were estimated to be 1,475 litres. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
“Furthermore, in Akwa Ibom State, troops have maintained visible operational footprints. These resulted in the discovery of a stockpile of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil at a warehouse in Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak LGA. The operations led to the recovery of 20 units of jerry cans filled with stolen AGO.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for the successes recorded and charged them to sustain the tempo against economic saboteurs.
The GOC also called on the “good” people of the region to continue supporting the ongoing crackdown on criminal networks whose activities, he said, compromise critical national infrastructure in the oil-rich Niger Delta.