The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has stepped up its efforts to combat the theft of crude oil, demolishing 18 illicit processing facilities around the Niger Delta and apprehending 39 alleged oil thieves.
Over 60,000 liters of stolen petroleum products were confiscated by troops during the six-day operation, which was carried out in coordination with other security services, according to information obtained.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Monday, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the 6 Division’s Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the development.
The statement reads in part: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against Crude Oil Theft as well as other associated crimes conducted in the Niger Delta Region.
This took place between March 24 and 30, 2025. More than 60,000 liters of stolen goods were seized as a result of the joint operations area operations with sister agencies, and other things were also recovered.
According to the statement, operations in Rivers State, particularly along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area, led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank loaded with 18,000 litres of stolen products.
Furthermore, a MAN Diesel container truck (Reg. LXA 44 XA) was found trying to smuggle petroleum products that had been stolen while hiding under sawdust bags. When the suspects saw the troops, they allegedly ran away.
Over 15,000 liters of stolen crude were recovered, and numerous illicit processing installations were demolished as part of the anti-crude oil theft operations that also reached the Imo River. Two illicit refining facilities in Ahoada East LGA were found to have more than 2,800 liters of stolen goods.
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Multiple refining sites, drum ovens, hoses, and metal pipes were destroyed during more seizures in the Degema LGA area around Ebocha, Omoku, and Jelikri Creek.
Results of Operations in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Bayelsa
Troops in Bayelsa State discovered and shut down illicit refining facilities in the LGAs of Yenagoa and Southern Ijaw.
The statement noted: “This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State where two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil was recovered.”
Similarly, in Delta State, troops raided illegal refining sites in Warri South LGA, particularly at Egbokodo Itsekiri Community, where they confiscated jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed cellophane bags used in the illicit trade.
The Army also reported progress in Akwa Ibom State, where troops have intensified surveillance, preventing oil thieves from continuing their activities.
