Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their operations against oil theft in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), leading to the arrest of 16 suspects and the destruction of multiple illegal refining sites.

The crackdown conducted between February 24 and March 2, 2025, also resulted in the confiscation of over 24,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products across the region.

This is contained in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, which detailed the significant breakthroughs recorded in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.

It said that in Rivers State, troops intercepted a truck loaded with 140 sacks of stolen crude—estimated at over 7,500 litres—at Refinery checkpoint in Okrika LGA, but the driver fled upon sighting security operatives.

The statement further noted that at Ekpe-Mgbede in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops dismantled three illegal refining sites, which contained 28 locally made ovens and three large empty metal drums. Similarly, at Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA, an illegal refining site was destroyed, with four drum pots and a large tarpaulin storage facility confiscated.

Around Rumukpe in Emohua Local Government Area, security forces also dismantled one massive drum pot, one drum receiver, and ten polythene bags filled with stolen products.

In Bayelsa State, troops acting on credible intelligence destroyed two active illegal refining sites in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, recovering over 8,000 litres of stolen crude and 3,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stored in sacks. Similarly, at Adibawa, also in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site was deactivated, with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude and 800 litres of refined AGO confiscated, along with a generator and other refining equipment.

The statement further disclosed that in Delta State, troops impounded 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO in Ugbokodo Community, Warri South LGA. Additionally, four suspected oil thieves were arrested at Egwa 2, 18, and 22 Oil Wells in Warri South-West LGA, following intelligence reports on pipeline vandalism.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, the military has scaled up operations along the waterways, hinterlands, and creeks to disrupt criminal activities and safeguard oil infrastructure.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, reassured that troops will maintain the operational tempo to thwart all forms of criminality in the region.

“The Division will continue to emplace proactive measures to ensure seamless exploration activities in the Niger Delta Region,” the GOC assured.