Army Arrests 17 Suspected Oil Thieves In Niger Delta

Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 17 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 45,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region.

The troops, in several operations conducted between September 8 and September 20, 2025, equally deactivated nine illegal refining sites in the region.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, the acting deputy director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement disclosed that in Delta State, around Ogwu Community in Warri South local government area, troops discovered a metal storage facility containing over 20,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), adding that three pumping machines, three metering machines, and 25 litres of engine oil.

Lt. Col. Danjuma said other items recovered during the operations included two empty tanks and a 20,000-litre capacity tanker truck with registration number BEN 223 ZW (Edo State), loaded with over 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, popularly known as diesel.

In Bayelsa State, the statement said around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops uncovered two illegal refining sites and three dugout pits containing over 7,000 litres of stolen products, which were appropriately destroyed, adding that in Okordia in Yenagoa LGA, a Toyota Camry with registration number ASB 71 BG, loaded with over 600 litres of AGO, was intercepted.

Danjuma stated that in Rivers State, during a routine patrol around Okarki Community in Ahoada West LGA, troops intercepted a Toyota 4Runner SUV with registration number GBB 331 AE, conveying over 1,600 litres of stolen products.

He said items recovered from the vehicle included a 250-metre hose, three-inch metal pipes, and six sacks containing 300 litres of illegally refined AGO, adding that the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the troops.

Also, at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West LGA, troops discovered 23 sacks filled with 690 litres of illegally refined AGO. At KM 45 in Degema LGA, a wooden boat loaded with stolen products was intercepted.

At Obiafor Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, the army said its troops discovered a vandalised portion of the Oando pipeline and over 500 litres of stolen condensate.

While in Akwa Ibom State, troops sustained the operations, combing notorious corridors used by oil thieves to carry out their illegal activities, effectively denying the criminals freedom of action in the state.