The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has dismantled 13 illegal oil refining sites, recovered over 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and arrested 15 suspected oil thieves in a week-long operation targeting oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday. He said the operations, conducted between January 20 and 26, 2025, spanned Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states.
“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have continued to tighten the noose against oil thieves, with numerous successes resonating across the joint operations area. These successes included the dismantling of 13 illegal bunkering hubs, four boats demobilised, the arrest of 15 oil thieves, over 150 locally made ovens deactivated, and the recovery of over 300,000 litres of stolen products,” Danjuma said.
In Edo State, troops discovered a vandalised site in Ugo Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, containing 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Equipment such as a pumping machine, hoses, and pipes was also recovered.
In Delta State, a 30,000-litre capacity tanker truck was intercepted in Ethiope West Local Government Area while siphoning crude oil from a PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited pipeline. Troops seized the truck, which had already loaded over 15,000 litres.
In Rivers State, along the Imo River corridor, troops confiscated over 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil from Lekuma, Abiama, and Oyigbo communities. An active illegal refining site near the Owaza general area was uncovered, and a pump-action rifle was recovered after the suspects fled.
At the Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, three illegal refining sites were dismantled, containing ten cooking drums, eight reservoirs, and two rolls of hose. In Abalama Community, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, 1,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and Dual Purpose Kerosene were seized.
In Abacheke, ONELGA, four illegal refining sites were destroyed, where troops found 145 locally made oven drums, 5,700 litres of stolen AGO, and another 3,500 litres concealed in a reservoir. Eight suspects were arrested during the operation.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided an AGO storage facility at Ikot Abia in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, recovering 30 polythene bags of stolen AGO and several empty jerricans.
In Bayelsa State, two illegal refining sites in the Isonogbene area of Brass Local Government Area were dismantled, and over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, praised the troops for their efforts and warned those involved in oil theft to desist.
“The days of criminal elements masquerading as economic saboteurs are numbered. They must either turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face renewed onslaught,” Emekah said.
