Army Arrests 38 Suspected Oil Thieves In Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have arrested 38 suspected oil thieves during operations carried out between May 12 and May 18, 2025, across the Niger Delta region.

The troops also deactivated no fewer than 28 illegal refining sites and recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products in the operations that were carried out in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

The acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said several locally-made boats used for the criminality were also destroyed during the operations.

The statement read in part: “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), in conjunction with other security agencies have intensified the crackdown against Crude Oil Theft (COT) and associated crimes across the Niger Delta Region (NDR).

“The operations, which were conducted between 12 and 18 May 2025 led to the arrest of 38 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 28 illegal refining sites, several locally made boats used for the criminality destroyed, with over 700,000 litres of stolen products recovered across the NDR.

“In various anti COT operations conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops made significant inroads. During the operations, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest.

“In a follow-up operations conducted, troops discovered over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO confiscated. Other seizures included six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines and generators.

“Also, recovered were hoses used for transporting the stolen products over a distance. Three suspected oil thieves have been taken into custody in connection to the malfeasance.

“While around Alode junction in Eleme, following credible intelligence, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction.

“Similar operations conducted at Obiafor Forest, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves, who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area. Additionally, troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned Wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude.

“Relatedly, at Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the Creeks was demobilised. While, the ongoing clearance operations conducted by troops along Imo River led the deactivation of Seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers demobilized, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered.

“Similarly, a sting operations conducted at a makeshift accomodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA, led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres.

“In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with six ovens, receivers as well as reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated. Likewise, at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops successfully deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir.

“In a related vein in Delta State, troops projected anti COT operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where Three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and Six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately.

“Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. The driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.

“In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak – Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags. The driver of the bus has been arrested.”

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, has commended the troops for the operational exploits and called on them to be professional in their conduct and most importantly scale up the memotum as the operations progresses.

Maj-Gen. Emekah made this call when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visits to various locations, where he interacted with troops, reassuring them that their welfare had been prioritised adequately.