In a major crackdown on oil theft and economic sabotage, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 62 suspects, dismantled 14 illegal refining sites, and seized over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across parts of the Niger Delta between July 14 and 20, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, who said the operations were carried out in conjunction with other security agencies across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
In Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, troops uncovered six illegal refining sites near an abandoned wellhead in Joinkrama 4. They destroyed six large ovens, reservoirs, and receivers containing about 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Troops also recovered a generator set, welding machine, and other equipment from the site.
At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), more illegal refining camps were shut down. Soldiers found three dug-out pits, two of which held over 5,700 litres of stolen crude oil, while the third contained an unquantified volume of AGO. Two boats filled with ten sacks of condensates were also intercepted along the riverside.
In Elele Town, Ikwerre LGA, troops stopped a Sienna vehicle without a registration number, loaded with 32 sacks of AGO totaling 1,920 litres. Nearby, they uncovered an illegal connection point and a dug-out pit containing 1,200 litres of condensates.
Recovered from the area were three 150-meter hoses, eight metal drums, and multiple refining ovens.
Meanwhile, in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa, the Army deactivated four illegal refining sites and four dug-out pits, confiscating over 10,000 litres of AGO and dismantling five cooking ovens used in the illegal refining process.
Following a tip-off in Delta State, troops stormed Gana Road in Sapele LGA from Javel Sharp Sand Waterside and apprehended two suspects with two boats loaded with 30 cellophane bags containing over 1,500 litres of refined AGO.
In Akwa Ibom State, soldiers maintained heavy presence in vulnerable areas, effectively disrupting the operations of oil thieves and criminal elements.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended his men for their efforts and urged them to sustain the tempo to prevent saboteurs from regrouping.
“These achievements show our commitment to protecting Nigeria’s resources. Our troops will continue to dominate the operational environment,” he said.
