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The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 22 illegal refining sites and recovered over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at about N150million across the Niger Delta.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The Army said the achievements followed a nearly one-month coordinated operation carried out in four states in collaboration with other security agencies.
The statement read, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Niger Delta Region.
“In several operations conducted, 19 suspected oil thieves were apprehended, with 22 illegal refining hubs destroyed, and over 180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000.00), recovered.
“The operations were conducted between 23 November and 28 December 2025, targeting oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the NDR.”
Danjuma gave details of the operations, saying troops dismantled an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where they recovered a large reservoir containing more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil as well as a pumping machine.
He said that in a related operation around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, also in Bayelsa State, troops carried out multiple raids that led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with over 17,000 litres of stolen products recovered in total.
According to him, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat concealed along the riverbank at Okarki waterside in Ogbia Local Government Area, discovering 37 sacks containing about 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil.
Danjuma added that a similar operation in Orashi Forest, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, led troops to trace a hose stretching more than nine kilometres to four illegal refining sites, comprising large ovens with a combined capacity of 120,000 litres, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.
He said a pumping machine and five large reservoirs were also destroyed during the operation.
He noted that at Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, troops confiscated 31 sacks containing about 2,325 litres of stolen crude oil hidden in bushes along the Okomade-Otuasega Road.
Danjuma also disclosed that in Rivers State, troops received credible intelligence about an attempted pipeline breach by suspected oil thieves around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area.
He continued, “Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one 9.9 HP Yamaha engine and four units of 25-litre jerricans.
“Seizures were also made around Okrika LGA, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, as well as OML 18 Alakiri, with a cumulative recovery of over 6,000 litres of condensates.”
Danjuma added that troops also recorded significant successes in Delta State, where they intercepted a truck with registration number SAG 292 XB along the Asaba-Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was offloading about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into a Premium Motor Spirit pit.
According to him, a total of 104 sacks containing more than 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered during the operations.
Danjuma further disclosed that during routine patrols around the Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South Local Government Area, troops intercepted two vehicles, a car with registration number Delta PTN 140 AA and a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number Anambra AWK 302 ZD, transporting illegally refined condensates concealed in sacks and jerricans.
He said the products were estimated at 1,475 litres and that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for the successes recorded and charged them to sustain the tempo against economic saboteurs.
The GOC also called on the people of the region to continue supporting the ongoing crackdown on criminal networks whose activities, he said, compromise critical national infrastructure in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
