In a renewed effort to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 individuals involved in illegal oil activities and dismantled 18 illicit refining sites. The operations, conducted between March 24 and 30, 2025, targeted key hotspots across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
Coordinated Raids Yield Major Seizures
The crackdown, carried out in collaboration with security agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 liters of stolen petroleum products and other illegal refining equipment. According to Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, one of the significant seizures occurred along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, where troops intercepted a fabricated twin-tank containing 18,000 liters of stolen fuel.
Similarly, a MAN Diesel container truck loaded with illegally obtained petroleum products was seized, though the suspected operators managed to evade arrest.
Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites
Troops also targeted multiple illegal refining operations along the Imo River, where they dismantled drum pots and receivers used for illicit fuel processing. In Ebocha and Omoku within Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, further discoveries of stolen petroleum products were made.
In another operation, troops stormed Jelikri Creek in Degema Local Government Area, dismantling several makeshift refineries. In Bayelsa State, they uncovered two illegal refining sites in Adibawa, Yenagoa Local Government Area, containing drums and cooking ovens holding over 8,000 liters of stolen crude. Additionally, in Okighene, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, security forces destroyed another site where 1,500 liters of crude oil and 300 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were found.
Success in Delta State Operations
In Delta State, authorities confiscated numerous jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several makeshift storage facilities used for oil theft operations.
Military Vows Sustained Crackdown
Commending the troops for their relentless efforts, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to eradicating oil theft. He urged criminals engaged in crude oil theft to abandon the illicit trade and seek legitimate means of livelihood or face the full force of the law.
He further assured Nigerians that the Army would persist in its efforts to safeguard the nation’s critical energy infrastructure, ensuring stability in the petroleum sector and broader economy.