Troops Arrest 43 Suspected Oil Thieves In Niger Delta 

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves and uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites in the Niger Delta region.

The troops also recovered over 161,000 litres of stolen products in their latest crackdown across the region

Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in Port Harcourt, that the operations were conducted in synergy with other security agencies between 26 May – 8 June 2025.

“In Bayelsa State, along Zarama-Joinkrama 4, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 connected to an illegal refining site.

“In a follow up operations conducted, five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered while at Biseni Community, Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, two illegal connection points connected to the pipeline, linked to an illegal refining site were discovered,” Danjuma said.

Additionally, he said 19 big pots, 18 drum pots, 36 drum receivers, 19 drum coolants, a pumping, 6 metallic drum receiver stocked with over 4,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and over 27,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 460 sacks were disclosed.

Also, Lt.-Col. Danjuma said operations by the troops at Luka Creek, around Lagosgbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, led to the discovery of an illegal refining site where over 1,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

Similarly, 71 big pipes, 30 small pipes, concealed under logs of woods, one 40HP engine and a wooden boat were recovered at Tamogbene in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State.

However, two suspected vandals who were conveying the items in a boat absconded on sighting the troops.

“In Rivers State, a fibre boat, one wooden boat and a large wooden barge filled with over 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were intercepted by the troops while 8 suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the crime.

“Around Dorger Land Community in Okrika LGA, a wooden boat laden with 18,980 litres of PMS was intercepted, with three suspected oil thieves apprehended. Other seizures were made at Okarki Forest, Banana Creek in Ahoada West and Degema LGAs respectively.

“Along Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an illegal refining site was uncovered with two cooking ovens, drums and receivers as well as over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Troops, also intercepted a truck at Oyingbo with Registration Number SML 204 VJ, loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks,” the acting deputy director said.

He further disclosed that troops intercepted over 2,700 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) in 45 sacks at Omoku, close to the waterside.