PICTORIAL: Army Arrests 62 Suspected Oil Thieves In Niger Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested no fewer than 62 suspected oil thieves in their recent onslaught against oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the Niger Delta region.

During the operation, which was carried out between July 14 to July 20, 2025, in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, the troops also confiscated over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement made available to newsmen, said the feat, which was achieved in collaboration with other security agencies, also saw to the deactivation of fourteen illegal refining sites and seizure of five boats.

Danjuma stated that in Joinkrama 4 Community in Ahoada-West local government area, Obiafor community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area and Elele Town in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, troops dismantled several illegal sites and confiscated about 33,600 litres of petroleum products.

He further stated that in Bayelsa State, the troops deactivated four illegal refining sites and four dug-out pits and confiscated over 10,000 litres of stolen products as well as dismantled five cooking ovens around Biseni community in Yenagoa LGA.

The statement said following a tip-off, the troops projected force from Javel Sharp Sand Waterside to Gana Road in Sapele LGA, Delta State, where they arrested two suspected oil thieves with two boats loaded with 30 cellophane bags filled with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined automated gas oil (AGO).

It stated that in Akwa Ibom State, the troops have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action.

The statement reads in part: “In a significant push to sustain the onslaught against oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have continued to dismantle illegal bunkering enclaves and disrupt their supply chains.

“These feats were achieved through various operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, with successes recorded across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states between 14 and 20 July 2025.

“The operations led to the arrest of 62 suspected economic saboteurs, the deactivation of fourteen illegal refining sites, seizure of five boats, and the confiscation of over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the joint operation area.

“In Rivers State, around an abandoned wellhead at Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA), troops deactivated six illegal refining sites. Additionally, six large ovens, reservoirs, and receivers containing approximately 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), were handled inline with subsisting operational mandate.

“Other items recovered at the site included a generator set, welding machine, and several shovels.

“Similarly, around Obiafor in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), several illegal refining sites were dismantled. Three dug-out pits were discovered, two filled with over 5,700 litres of stolen crude and one containing unquantified stolen AGO. Additionally, two boats loaded with ten sacks of condensates were intercepted at the riverside in Obiafor.

“Troops also intercepted a Sienna vehicle with no registration number, loaded with 32 sacks filled with over 1,920 litres of stolen AGO, at Elele Town in Ikwerre LGA. Likewise, an illegal connection point was discovered, along with a dug-out pit filled with over 1,200 litres of condensates. Recovered items included three 150-meter-long hoses, eight metal drums, and several ovens set up for illicit refining.

“In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites and four dug-out pits. Over 10,000 litres of stolen AGO were confiscated, and five cooking ovens were dismantled. Troops are also combing the creeks and rivulets to crack down on economic saboteurs.

“Relatedly, following a tip-off, troops projected force from Javel Sharp Sand Waterside to Gana Road in Sapele LGA of Delta State, where two suspected oil thieves were apprehended. They were arrested with two boats loaded with 30 cellophane bags filled with over 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action.”

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, who commended the troops for their successes, charged them to sustain the operational tempo to continue denying economic saboteurs any freedom of action.

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