The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, has announced the arrest of 69 suspected oil thieves, the dismantling of nine illegal refining sites, and the recovery of over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a two-week operation in the Niger Delta.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
According to him, the operations, conducted between August 11 and 24, 2025, spanned Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states, and were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.
“Significant operational successes were recorded, including the deactivation of nine illegal refining sites, the arrest of 69 suspects for oil theft and related offences, as well as the confiscation of over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products,” Danjuma stated.
Delta State Operations
In Delta, troops intercepted two trucks transporting 15,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Sapele Local Government Area, arresting three suspects. Sixteen cellophane bags filled with AGO were also recovered in One Man Village, while in Nana Town, Warri North, several drums and jerricans of refined products were seized.
Rivers State Operations
In Rivers, three refining sites were dismantled in Degema LGA, where over 7,000 litres of stolen products and a wooden boat were seized. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops intercepted two wooden boats loaded with stolen condensates. Similar busts were recorded in Oyigbo and Okrika LGAs, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of thousands of litres of products.
Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom Operations
In Bayelsa, soldiers uncovered a refining site in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, where two large reservoirs containing over 7,000 litres of crude oil were destroyed. Drums and receivers were also confiscated.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, troops maintained strong dominance of operational areas to prevent illegal refiners from regrouping.
Lt. Col. Danjuma confirmed that all suspects had been handed over to relevant security agencies for prosecution, while the seized products and equipment were being processed in line with operational guidelines.
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