By Ameh Gabriel
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — In a sustained offensive against oil theft and related crimes in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have dismantled 16 illegal oil refining sites and arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and criminal collaborators between April 14 and 20, 2025.
The coordinated operations, carried out in conjunction with other security agencies, led to the seizure of over 62,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 5,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across several locations in Rivers, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, revealed that clearance operations along the Imo River resulted in the dismantling of six artisanal refineries and the recovery of 30 drum pots, 24 drum receivers, and 1,100 sacks filled with over 22,000 litres of stolen products in areas around Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State.
In Okrika Creek, troops acted on intelligence to intercept a wooden boat containing over 2,500 litres of crude oil suspected to have been siphoned from the NNPC Jetty in Okrika.
Elsewhere in Kula, Akuku-Toru LGA, six suspects — three buyers and three sellers — were apprehended in connection with stolen petroleum products. Their arrest led to the interception of three tugboats and a fibre boat, all loaded with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in jerricans.
Troops also impounded a wooden boat carrying sacks of stolen crude along Obohia Road to Obrikom Waterside in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and made additional seizures in Okwuizi (ONELGA) and Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA.
In Bayelsa State, near the Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites and recovered three large concrete pits containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude, as well as pumping machines, a wellhead valve, and 2,500 litres of refined AGO.
“The criminals had connected an 80-meter long pipe to the wellhead to siphon crude oil,” Lt. Col. Jonah said.
He added that additional seizures were made along the Gbarain–Zarama Road, where various tricycles transporting stolen products were intercepted and two suspects arrested.
In Delta State, troops raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout near Rhobot City, Ibuzu Road in Asaba, and Iselle Azagba Community in Aniocha LGA, arresting two suspects. Recovered weapons included:
- Two pump-action rifles
- One double-barrel gun
- One dane gun
- 56 cartridges
- 13 cutlasses
- Four fraternity berets
- Assorted charms and arrows
In Warri South, soldiers dismantled another illegal refining site, confiscating three cooking pots, three drums, and over 600 litres of stolen crude oil.
Operations in Akwa Ibom State also continued, with troops maintaining a dominant presence to deny criminals freedom of action.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, visited troops in Bayelsa and Delta States, commending their efforts and urging them to maintain momentum in combating economic sabotage.
“The welfare of our troops remains a top priority. You are playing a crucial role in restoring national economic integrity,” the GOC affirmed.
