The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products worth about ₦150 million across the Niger Delta.
The Army said the successes were recorded during a coordinated operation that lasted nearly one month and was carried out across four states in collaboration with other security agencies.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma.
According to him, the operations targeted oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other related crimes, adding that troops would continue to dominate the region and deny criminal elements freedom to operate.
Danjuma explained that the operations were conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025. In Bayelsa State, troops shut down an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were recovered.
He added that several illegal sites were also dismantled around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, leading to the recovery of more than 17,000 litres of stolen products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat loaded with sacks containing about 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
In Rivers State, troops recovered over 10,500 litres of stolen crude from 350 sacks discovered in Ogale Community, Eleme LGA. Two illegal refining sites were also destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, while four more sites were uncovered in Orashi Forest, Abua/Odual LGA, after troops traced a hose spanning over nine kilometres. Several reservoirs, ovens, and pumping machines were destroyed during the operation.
Further seizures were made in Bonny Island, Okrika, Ikwerre, and other parts of Rivers State, with over 6,000 litres of condensates recovered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway while it was discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products. Additional arrests and recoveries were made in Sapele and Ughelli South local government areas.
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Operations in Akwa Ibom State also led to the discovery of a warehouse stocked with illegally refined diesel in Abak LGA, where several jerry cans of stolen products were recovered.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, praised their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum against oil theft and economic sabotage. He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting security agencies in the fight against criminal networks threatening critical national assets.
