Army Arrests 19 Oil Thieves, Destroys 22 Illegal Refineries, in Niger Delta Region
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 22 illegal refining hubs across the Niger Delta Region, recovering over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at more than ₦150 million.
The operations, carried out between November 23 and December 28, 2025, were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies as part of a sustained crackdown on oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related economic sabotage in the region.
In Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), where a large reservoir containing more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were recovered. Around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, several illegal refining sites were dismantled, leading to the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat hidden along the riverbank and loaded with 37 sacks containing about 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil.
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In Rivers State, operations at Ogale Community in Eleme LGA led to the discovery of 350 sacks filled with more than 10,500 litres of stolen crude oil. At Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed, with over 3,000 litres of crude recovered. Troops also uncovered four illegal refining sites at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA after tracing a nine-kilometre-long hose connected to vandalised facilities. The sites contained large ovens with a combined capacity of about 120,000 litres, receivers, dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil, and several pumping machines and reservoirs, all of which were destroyed.
Additional seizures were made at Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, where 31 sacks containing about 2,325 litres of stolen crude oil were confiscated along the Okomade–Otuasega Road. Troops also thwarted an attempt to compromise a pipeline at Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA, recovering tools and equipment including hoses, manifold valves, an engine, and jerricans. Further recoveries of more than 6,000 litres of condensates were recorded in Okrika, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, and OML 18 Alakiri.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into an underground pit. At Sapele LGA, two suspected oil thieves were arrested behind Deeper Life Camp, where 104 sacks containing over 2,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered. Routine patrols around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA also led to the interception of two vehicles conveying about 1,475 litres of illegally refined condensates, with two suspects arrested.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Ikot Ntuen Village in Abak LGA, where 20 jerricans filled with stolen products were recovered.
Commending the troops for the successes recorded, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, charged them to sustain the operational tempo against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs. He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting security agencies in protecting critical national infrastructure across the region.
By PRNigeria
