Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 22 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at over ₦150 million in a sustained crackdown on crude oil theft across the Niger Delta.
Details of the operations were contained in a statement issued on December 29, 2025, and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division.
According to the statement, the operations were carried out between November 23 and December 28, 2025, with troops working “in close synergy with other security agencies to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the region.”
“Troops have continued to dominate the operational environment, effectively disrupting oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other acts of economic sabotage,” the statement said.
Rivers, Bayelsa Record Major Recoveries
In Rivers State, troops uncovered 350 sacks containing over 10,500 litres of stolen crude oil at Ogale Community in Eleme Local Government Area. Two illegal refining sites were also destroyed around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA.
At Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, soldiers traced a hose spanning more than nine kilometres, leading to the discovery of four illegal refining sites equipped with large ovens, receivers, pumping machines, and dugout pits filled with crude oil.
“Several illegal refining sites were dismantled along with ovens, reservoirs, and equipment used for the illicit operations,” the statement added.
In Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw LGA, where a large reservoir containing more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were recovered.
Further operations around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA led to the destruction of additional illegal refining hubs and the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a concealed Cotonou boat loaded with 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil.
Delta, Akwa Ibom Operations
In Delta State, soldiers intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor, allegedly discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products. Additional operations in Sapele and Ughelli South LGAs resulted in the arrest of suspects and the recovery of illegally refined condensates.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Ikot Ntuen Village in Abak LGA, where several jerricans filled with stolen petroleum products were seized.
Army Vows Sustained Offensive
Reacting to the operational successes, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops and urged them to sustain the momentum against oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“The GOC charged the troops to maintain the tempo against criminal elements threatening critical national infrastructure,” the statement said.
He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to support ongoing operations by providing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital to dismantling criminal networks in the region.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting national assets, curbing economic sabotage, and ensuring lasting peace and security across the Niger Delta.
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