Army arrests 43 oil thieves, destroys 14 illegal refineries in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Army, 6 Division said its operatives have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves and recovered 254,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region.
The Army said a total of 14 illegal refineries were also destroyed, while 14 boats used for the illicit activity were destroyed.
The Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Jonah said the feat followed a six-day multiple operations conducted alongside other security agencies.
The statement reads, “In a reinvigorated onslaught against the criminal enterprise of oil thieves and associated crimes across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), the troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have sustained the pressure on the economic saboteurs in the Niger Delta Region.
“In multiple operations conducted with other security agencies across the JOA from 31 March – 6 April 2025, troops have recorded significant operational strides.
“These breakthroughs resulted in the arrest of 43 suspected oil thieves and associated crimes, deactivation of 14 artisanal refineries, demobilization of 14 boats used for economic sabotage, with several vehicles intercepted and over 254,000 litres of stolen products confiscated across the NDR.”
He said in Delta State, troops uncovered a large-scale illegal bunkering site at Old Ogorode in Sapele Local Government Area (LGA).
“Several items were recovered at the site, including one Ford Bus with Registration number Delta KLK 797 HR loaded with 9 drums of 1000 litres each filled with 90,000 litres, 74 drums of 200 litres each stocked with 14,800 litres, and one tank filled with over 20,000 litres of stolen products. Other seizures included nine drums of 200 litres capacity each, estimated to be 1,800 litres, 8 drums of 200 litres each filled with illegally refined engine oil estimated to be over 1,600 litres, 90 empty drums, one empty 5,000 litres capacity tank, eight pumping machines, one Lister generator, and one big generator. This was in addition to two suspected economic saboteurs arrested at the site.
“Additionally, troops also intercepted a Volvo Canter truck with Registration Number Bauchi KTG 166 XC conveying 56 drums of stolen crude oil estimated to be 13,400 litres at Amukpe in Sapele LGA.
“Three suspects have been taken into custody in connection to the seizures. Also, at Ughelli North LGA, a mini tanker conveying 11,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was intercepted,” the statement said.
In Rivers State, around Ataba general area in Andoni LGA, the troops dismantled illegal refining sites, with pots and receivers and over 80,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“The suspected oil thieves fled on sighting troops. At Ogale junction in Eleme LGA, troops intercepted over 80 sacks filled with 3,200 litres of stolen products,” the statement added.
The Army said similarly, at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops swooped on a massive cooking oven stocked with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.
It said, “Several items were also recovered at the scene, including a reservoir pit, metal receivers and 100 meters long iron pipes. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, several vehicles were intercepted with unspecified quantities of stolen products recovered, in addition to arrests effected at Aloloba in Kula II general area of Akuku-Toru LGA, Oshie in ONELGA, and Krakrama in Degema LGA.
“Similarly, the ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River is progressing with the desired results.
“Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, around Okordia Community in Yenagoa LGA, troops dismantled an illegal refining site with three ovens, four refining drums, receivers with dug out pits filled with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude.
“Furthermore, at Taylor Creek in Biseni, also in YELGA, two illegal refining sites with 8 mini ovens, 7 refining drums, receivers filled with over 5,500 litres of stolen crude were handled.
“While at Clough Creek inand Ekeremor, an illegal refining site with metal drums and ovens were dismantled accordingly. The operation is also taking place in Akwa Ibom State, with the economic saboteurs and associated criminals denied freedom of action.
“All the suspects arrested have been handed over to relevant agencies, while seizures made were handled in accordance to the subsisting operational mandate in the Join Operations Area.”
Speaking, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended troops for the crack down.
Emekah called on critical stakeholders to continue to work in synergy to rid the region of economic saboteurs.
He maintained that this effort will ramp up oil and gas production in the region for the nations economic prosperity.
