Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in a series of operations conducted across the Niger Delta region.
The operations, which took place between March 24 and 30, 2025, were part of an ongoing crackdown against Crude Oil Theft (COT) and associated crimes0. The troops worked in conjunction with sister agencies to confiscate over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement, said the operations were carried out across the Joint Operation Areas (JOA) in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states. He said troops intercepted an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Council of Rivers State.
Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck conveying unquantified stolen products was intercepted, but the suspects fled on sighting the troops. He added that along the Imo River, several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers were dismantled, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
Danjuma also stated that other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, while troops also closed up on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema Local Council with several illegal refining sites dismantled.
In Bayelsa State, Danjuma said troops discovered two illegal refining sites containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude. He said, “The operations conducted in Rivers State led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products.
“A MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA concealed with bags of Sawdust, conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting the troops.
“Relatedly, along the Imo River, the anti-COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East Local Council, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products were confiscated. Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council.
“Troops also closed in on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema Local Council with several illegal refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, metal pipes destroyed.
“Also, operations conducted in Bayelsa State yielded the desired outcome. This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, where two illegal refining sites containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks were destroyed.
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 (AGO) was recovered.”
In Delta State, the operations yielded visible results, with troops confiscating several jerry cans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroying several cellophane bags used for the criminal activity.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has commended the troops for their efforts and charged them to upscale the crackdown against oil thieves. He warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or face the wrath of the law. He also assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to work tirelessly to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and resources.