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NIGER DELTA - In a significant setback for oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, the troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have apprehended 39 alleged oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites following a series of operations conducted throughout the region.
These operations took place between March 24 and 30, 2025, as part of a sustained effort to combat Crude Oil Theft (COT) and related offenses.
The troops worked in coordination with other agencies to seize over 60,000 liters of stolen oil and various other items.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, reported that the operations were executed within the Joint Operations Area (JOA), which includes Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
He disclosed that troops intercepted a modified twin tank filled with 18,000 liters of stolen oil along Ochokocho Road in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Additionally, a MAN Diesel container truck carrying stolen goods was stopped, although the suspects managed to escape upon seeing the troops.
Numerous illegal refining sites, along with drum pots and receivers, were dismantled, resulting in the recovery of over 15,000 liters of stolen oil from the Imo River area. More seizures were made around Ebocha and Omoku in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
In a related operation, troops targeted oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in the Degema Local Government Area, dismantling several illegal refining sites.
Danjuma further mentioned that troops uncovered two illegal refining sites in Bayelsa State, equipped with drums and cooking ovens containing over 8,000 liters of stolen crude.
He stated, “In Bayelsa State, our operations produced significant results, particularly around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, where we found two illegal refining sites with drums and cooking ovens containing over 8,000 liters of stolen crude in both drums and sacks. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site was discovered with over 1,500 liters of crude oil and 300 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) recovered.”
In Delta State, the operations provided clear outcomes, with troops confiscating numerous jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and dismantling several bags used for these illicit activities.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, praised the troops for their dedication and urged them to intensify their efforts against oil thieves.
He warned the oil thieves to rethink their ways and seek legitimate sources of income or risk facing severe legal consequences. General Emekah assured the Nigerian public that the Nigerian Army would persist in its efforts to protect the nation’s vital infrastructure and resources.
