Army Arrests 39 Oil Thieves, Destroys 18 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refineries in a major crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, lasted six days and spanned three states in the region. He disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
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 on crude oil theft and associated crimes. The operations, conducted from March 24 to 30, 2025, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.”
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a fabricated twin-tank truck containing 18,000 litres of stolen products along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area.
A MAN Diesel truck with registration number LXA 44 XA, concealed with sawdust and carrying an undisclosed quantity of stolen crude, was also seized after the suspects abandoned it upon sighting the troops.
Further operations along the Imo River resulted in the dismantling of multiple illegal refining sites, with over 15,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
In Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites containing 2,800 litres of stolen products were also confiscated. Similar operations in Ebocha, Omoku, and Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA led to the destruction of refining equipment, including drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes.
In Bayelsa State, the crackdown yielded significant results in Adibawa, Yenagoa LGA, where troops uncovered two illegal refining sites containing over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks. Another illegal site in Okighene, Southern Ijaw LGA, held 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).
Delta State also witnessed substantial operations, particularly in Egbokodo Itsekiri Community, Warri South LGA, where several jerrycans filled with illegally refined AGO were confiscated, and cellophane bags used in the illicit trade were destroyed. Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops have maintained a strong presence, making it difficult for criminals to operate.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to sustain the crackdown to create an enabling environment for legitimate oil exploration.
He warned oil thieves to abandon illegal activities or face severe consequences under the law.
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