Monday, November 10, 2025 - The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, has arrested 14 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a coordinated offensive across the Niger Delta.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on
Monday, November 11, by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public
Relations, Jonah Danjuma.
According to the division, the feat was recorded during a
series of discreet raids conducted between 20 October and 9 November 2025
across multiple oil theft flashpoints in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom
states.
The statement revealed that troops destroyed 14 illegal
refining sites, arrested 14 suspects and confiscated 20,205 litres of illegally
refined products and crude oil.
“In several operations conducted between 20
October and 9 November 2025, remarkable gains were recorded,” the
Army said.
“These resulted in the dismantling of fourteen
illegal refining hubs, the arrest of fourteen suspected oil thieves, and the
confiscation of over 20,205 litres of stolen products across the region.”
In Rivers State, troops operating around the fringes of the
Imo River deactivated six illegal refining sites. Fourteen drum pots, nine drum
receivers and more than 8,000 litres of stolen products were destroyed or
seized.
Naija News understands
that the recoveries were made in Asa, Okonta and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA, as well
as Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
Troops also discovered abandoned Wellhead 3 near a remote
manifold axis, where they seized forty-two sacks containing 1,250 litres of
stolen crude.
Additional operations were recorded in Ozochi Community in
Ahoada East LGA and Angalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA.
In Delta State, a raid around Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli
North LGA resulted in the arrest of three suspected oil thieves. Troops
impounded a J5 bus and one motorcycle used for transporting illegal products.
They also recovered over 4,000 litres of condensate from the
suspects.
At Bipoko Community in Warri South LGA, troops uncovered an
active illegal refining site with a large cooking oven and thirty-eight sacks
containing 1,140 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops acted on intelligence and
intercepted a truck that was transloading illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil
from an underground storage tank at Olive Field Filling Station along the
Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road.
Troops in Bayelsa State
also sustained pressure on oil theft syndicates and economic saboteurs. The
Army confirmed that all suspects and confiscated items were processed in
accordance with operational guidelines.
Meanwhile, the General
Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, hailed the
troops for their successes and urged them to maintain the operational momentum.
He charged the division
to intensify collaboration with other security agencies in the ongoing battle
against crude oil theft, vandalism and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.
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