The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has intensified its fight against oil theft, deactivating 25 illegal refineries, arresting 12 suspected oil thieves, and recovering 95,000 litres of stolen crude across four states in the Niger Delta.
Additionally, troops destroyed 18 boats used for illicit operations and seized other refining equipment in a series of raids conducted between February 10 and 16, 2025, in collaboration with sister security agencies.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.
He said, “The well-coordinated operations led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality, with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a 45,000-litre DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, suspected of siphoning crude along the Trans Niger Pipeline.
The suspects abandoned the truck upon sighting security forces.
At Odagwa-Imo River stretch, Etche LGA, two wooden boats carrying 20,000 litres of stolen crude were seized.
In Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, three illegal bunkering dump sites were uncovered, with 3,420 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in sacks. Two suspects were arrested.
In Karakrama, Degema LGA, troops intercepted three wooden boats containing 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
Additional busts at Kumufari and Ogbonma Forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, led to the deactivation of 19 refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers, with over 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
“Similarly, in Delta State, troops projected force into Benneth Island general area in Warri South West LGA, where three active illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several holding facilities destroyed and over 6,300 litres of stolen crude confiscated,” Danjuma said.
In Omadino, Warri South, two more illegal sites were shut down, with 5,400 litres of refined AGO recovered.
At Aladja, Udu LGA, troops raided Cp Villa and Kazo Hotels, where illegally refined AGO was stored. Four suspects were arrested. In Eku, Ethiope East, a suspect was arrested in possession of a pump-action rifle.
In Bayelsa State, a newly established illegal refining site was discovered at Etelabu Forest, Yenagoa, with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude seized.
In Biseni, Yenagoa, a tricycle loaded with illegally refined AGO was intercepted, though the driver fled.
At Clough Creek, Ekeremor LGA, troops faced armed resistance while attempting to dismantle an illegal refinery.
“Attempts to clear the route were met with resistance by armed oil thieves, who opened fire on troops. The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon the area,” the statement said.
Two wooden boats were destroyed, and an unspecified quantity of stolen crude was seized.
The crackdown is also ongoing in Akwa Ibom State, where the military is restricting the activities of oil thieves through sustained operations.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Eric Emekah, commended troops for their efforts in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
During an operational visit to the Imo River stretch on February 15, 2025, he assessed illegal activities in Afam, Obeama, and Umuori Creek (Rivers State), as well as Asa waterways (Abia State)—areas notorious for illegal bunkering.
“These places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities. During the visit, the GOC ordered all life-supporting structures and several illegal refining sites be taken out in those identified sites,” the statement added.
Emekah charged the troops to “effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action by smoking them out in order to increase exploration activities in the Niger Delta region.”
