The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army announced the arrest of 39 suspected oil thieves and the destruction of 18 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. In addition, during their operations against oil theft and related crimes, they seized 60,000 liters of stolen products.
The special operation, conducted over six days from March 24 to March 30, 2025, involved collaboration with various security agencies across three states.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, provided details in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Monday.
According to the statement, “Troops from the 6 Division have apprehended 39 individuals suspected of oil theft and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites during an ongoing operation against crude oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region. Operations took place from March 24 to March 30, 2025, in conjunction with sister agencies. These efforts resulted in the confiscation of over 60,000 liters of stolen products and various items.”
The operations across Rivers State led to significant discoveries. On Ochokocho Road in the Etche Local Government Area, troops intercepted a fabricated twin tank containing 18,000 liters of stolen products, as well as a MAN Diesel container truck, which was concealed under bags of sawdust and transporting an unspecified quantity of stolen goods. The suspects managed to escape upon noticing the troops.
In other areas, such as along the Imo River, numerous illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers were eliminated, leading to the recovery of over 15,000 liters of stolen products. In the Rumuekpe Forest of Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed with more than 2,800 liters of stolen products confiscated.
Additional operations in the Ebocha and Omoku regions of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA also yielded positive results, as the troops closed in on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, dismantling numerous illegal refining sites and destroying equipment.
In Bayelsa State, successful operations were reported around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, where two illegal refining sites were discovered, yielding more than 8,000 liters of stolen crude in drums and sacks. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, another site was found, resulting in the recovery of over 1,500 liters of crude oil and 300 liters of illegally refined automotive gasoline oil.
In Delta State, operations continued to make significant progress. In the Egbokodo Itsekiri community of Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerrycans filled with illegally refined diesel and destroyed various cellophane bags used in the illegal activities. Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained a strong presence, limiting the criminals’ ability to operate.
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, urged troops to intensify their efforts against oil thieves to ensure a secure environment for legitimate exploration activities. He warned those engaged in oil theft to reconsider their actions and seek lawful means of livelihood or face the consequences of the law.
