Army Nabs 19 Oil Thieves, Destroys 22 Camps

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 22 illegal refining camps and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at about ₦150 million across the Niger Delta.

The Army said the achievements followed a coordinated operation lasting almost one month and carried out in four states, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lt Col Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, December 29, in Port Harcourt.

Danjuma said the operations targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related crimes, adding that troops would sustain a strong presence to deny criminal groups freedom of action in the region.

According to him, the operations, conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025, led to the arrest of 19 suspects, the destruction of 22 illegal refining sites and the recovery of stolen products estimated at over ₦150 million.

In Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, recovering more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine.

Further operations around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA led to the shutdown of several refining sites and the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.

At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, soldiers intercepted a large Cotonou boat concealed along the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks containing 2,775 litres of stolen crude.

In Rivers State, troops uncovered 350 sacks holding more than 10,500 litres of stolen crude in Ogale Community, Eleme LGA. They also destroyed two illegal refining sites in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, recovering over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.

At Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, soldiers traced a nine-kilometre hose leading to four illegal refining sites with large ovens and reservoirs stocked with more than 7,000 litres of crude oil. Troops also destroyed a pumping machine and seized additional stolen products in nearby locations.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Motorway in Agbor while it discharged 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into an illegal pit. They also arrested two suspects during an operation targeting illegal bunkering activities in Sapele LGA.

Further seizures occurred around Ughelli South LGA, where troops intercepted vehicles conveying illegally refined condensates, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of about 1,475 litres of stolen products.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined automotive gasoline oil in Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak LGA, and recovered several jerrycans filled with stolen fuel.

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, praised the troops for the successes and urged them to maintain pressure on oil thieves and other economic saboteurs.

He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting efforts to protect critical national infrastructure.