PORT HARCOURT — Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a series of operations across the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, saying the operations took place between October 6 and 19, 2025.
According to Danjuma, the coordinated operations, which covered parts of Rivers, Abia, Delta, and Bayelsa States, also led to the deactivation of four illegal refining sites.
“The operations conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 28 suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of four illegal refining sites, and the recovery of over 290,000 litres of stolen products across the region,” the statement read.
He explained that several successful raids were carried out in Rivers State, particularly in Okrika Local Government Area, where troops intercepted two wooden boats loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel at a jetty.
“Additionally, two boats were intercepted at Okrika—one loaded with over 33,000 litres of stolen products, while another wooden boat containing over 5,000 litres of stolen fuel was also seized in the area,” he added.
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Danjuma further revealed that acting on a tip-off, troops raided an illegal oil bunkering site near a pipeline behind Sterling Global Company Road, Akpabo, in Elele Alimini, Emohua LGA.
During the operation, a tanker with registration number Rivers JJN 287 ZU, suspected to be carrying 90,000 litres of stolen crude, was intercepted as it was leaving the pipeline right-of-way. The driver and his assistant were immediately arrested.
Similarly, at Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, troops recovered over 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stored in plastic containers.
Danjuma reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to combating oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, stressing that such operations will continue until illegal bunkering and refining activities are completely stamped out.
“The Division remains resolute in its mandate to protect critical national assets and ensure the nation’s economic lifelines are secured,” he said.
