Troops Foil Oil Theft, Arrest 50 Suspects In Niger Delta

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled multiple illegal refining sites and arrested 50 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, with a major focus on Rivers State. 

The operations, carried out between June 30 and July 13, 2025, also led to the confiscation of over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the discovery of numerous illegal connection points designed to compromise pipelines.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah.

In Rivers State, troops sustained the clampdown on attempts to re-establish new illegal bunkering hubs, particularly along the Imo River axis. Seven illegal refining sites were dismantled around Obuzor and Ozaa West in the Ukwa West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of Abia and Rivers states, respectively.

The troops also destroyed 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, three large coolants, and recovered over 6,000 litres of crude oil.

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At Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, another illegal refining site was destroyed.

Dugout pits filled with 3,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,000 litres of crude oil were handled in line with operational procedures.

In addition, a reservoir stocked with over 3,000 litres of chemicals used for illicit refining, 14 metal drums, five sacks containing over 250 litres of AGO and DPK, and a 300-metre plastic hose was seized.

Three suspects were also arrested.

Similar operations in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, led to the dismantling of more illegal storage sites.

In Delta State, troops intercepted one speedboat and a locally made wooden boat along the Jeddo waterways in Warri South LGA.

The boats contained 86 sacks filled with over 1,720 litres of stolen products.

At Obiaruku Community in Ukwuani LGA, troops uncovered 24 jerricans of 25 litres each filled with illegally refined AGO. Another wooden boat loaded with stolen petroleum products was intercepted at Ugbokodo Creek, Warri South LGA.

In Bayelsa State, troops intensified surveillance and seized a wheelbarrow and a 70-kg gas cylinder believed to be primed for pipeline sabotage at Ikarama in Yenagoa LGA.

At Angiama Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, several litres of stolen products were recovered, and suspects arrested.

Also, in Akwa Ibom State, a raid on a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA led to the discovery of 15 jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO.

Danjuma reaffirmed that troops under the 6 Division will continue to dominate the operational environment—both on land and waterways—to deny oil thieves and other criminal elements the freedom to operate.

Danjuma stated that the ongoing operations demonstrate the army’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil assets and restoring sanity to the Niger Delta.

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