By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has recorded significant successes in its intensified operations to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related crimes across the Niger Delta region. In a sustained crackdown carried out between 9 and 29 June 2025, troops of the 6 Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, dismantled 23 illegal refining sites, arrested 46 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 30,000 litres of stolen petroleum products from various locations.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations, which spanned across Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Abia States, were aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action and restoring integrity to the nation’s oil infrastructure.
In Bayelsa State, troops operating around Biseni community and Adibawa in Yenagoa Local Government Area uncovered and dismantled an illegal refining camp where nine large cooking pots, 16 drum pots, four receivers, and four drum coolants were destroyed. More than 6,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered during the operation. Additionally, in Otueke, Ogbia LGA, troops apprehended two suspects found in possession of locally fabricated pistols and 9mm ammunition.
Operations in Rivers State yielded equally significant results. Around Kilometer 45 in Degema LGA, six illegal refining sites were discovered and dismantled, leading to the seizure of over 5,000 litres of stolen crude oil. In the Kula 1 area of Akuku-Toru LGA, troops uncovered another illegal refining site containing four cooking ovens, four receivers, and four drums with more than 2,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO). Four suspects were arrested in connection with the illicit activities.
Further clearance operations were conducted along the Imo River, targeting illegal bunkering hotspots in Obuzor and Okoloma, which span Ukwa West LGA of Abia and Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State. Six illegal refining sites were destroyed in these areas, along with 32 drum pots, nine drum receivers, and 10 sacks of crude oil, totaling over 2,000 litres in recovered stolen products.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops raided a warehouse in Ukanafun LGA, recovering 131 nylon bags containing more than 3,930 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products. At Ebughu in Mbo LGA, they intercepted seven 30-litre jerricans filled with over 300 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The crackdown extended to Delta State, where troops discovered a storage facility at a tanker park in Kwale, Ndokwa East LGA, containing 150 sacks filled with more than 3,000 litres of stolen crude oil. In a separate operation, a vacuum truck bearing registration number Delta LEH 167 SP was intercepted at Yanga Market Road in Oleh, Isoko North LGA. The truck was fully loaded with stolen crude oil, but the driver fled the scene before he could be apprehended.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to curbing economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and assured that it would sustain pressure on oil thieves and their collaborators until illegal refining and pipeline vandalism are completely eliminated.
