The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has intensified its efforts against crude oil theft and illegal refining, destroying 19 illicit refineries and arresting 12 suspects in a week-long operation across the Niger Delta.
Acting Deputy Director of the 6th Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the success of the operation, which ran from March 17 to March 23, 2025, across Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states.
According to Danjuma, the troops confiscated over 138,000 liters of stolen petroleum products. In Rivers State, intelligence-led operations led to the interception of a tanker carrying 60,000 liters of stolen crude oil along the Apajo-Iwoji-Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The driver abandoned the vehicle upon sighting the troops, and multiple license plates were found in the truck.
In the Imo River area, security forces dismantled illegal refining sites, destroying 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers containing over 4,500 liters of stolen crude. Meanwhile, at Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops uncovered an abandoned refining oven and 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 liters of crude oil.
In Delta State, an illegal bunkering truck with an inbuilt iron tank containing 20,000 liters of stolen crude was seized along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline in Masogar, Ethiope West LGA. A second truck was found nearby, awaiting loading.
Akwa Ibom operations saw the interception of a Toyota Avalon loaded with 1,620 liters of stolen petroleum products in 54 cellophane bags along the Iko-Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA. Two suspects were arrested at the scene.
Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6th Division, praised the troops for their vigilance and called for continued operations to dismantle oil theft networks. He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to aid in combating illegal activities.
All arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution, while confiscated items have been processed in line with security protocols.
