The 6-point division of the Nigerian army has stepped up efforts to burglary oil, arresting 39 suspected oil thieves and demolishing 18 illegal refining sites throughout the Niger Delta.
Naija News It was learned that during a six-day operation in cooperation with other security agencies, the troops seized more than 60,000 liters of stolen oil products.
Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations of the Army of Division 6, Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjumaconfirmed the development in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads in part: “Units from the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and demolished 18 illegal refining sites in the continuous crackdown on crude oil theft and other related crimes carried out in the Niger Delta region.
“This is from March 24 to 30, 2025. The action with sister agencies in the joint operational area resulted in the confiscation of more than 60,000 liters of stolen products and other recovered items.”
According to the statement, the operation in Rivers State, especially along Ochokocho Road in the Etche local government area, led to the interception of a built-in manufactured double canister containing 18,000 liters of stolen product.
In addition, a man’s diesel truck (Reg. LXA44 XA) was found in an attempt to smuggle stolen oil products hidden in wood chip bags. The suspect reportedly fled the witness unit.
Anti-Crude Oil Theft also extended to the IMO River, where several illegal refining sites were removed and more than 15,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered. In Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites were seized, including more than 2,800 liters of stolen products.
Further seizures were performed around Ebocha, Omoku and Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, where multiple refining sites, drum ovens, hoses and metal tubes were destroyed.
The results of the operation are Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom
In Bayelsa State, troops discovered and removed illegal oil refining operations in the south of Yenagoa and Ijaw Lgas.
The statement states:This is evident around Adibawa, Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State, where there are two illegal refining sites containing drums and baking ovens, with over 8,000 liters of drums and stolen crude oil in sacks. In Okighene, south of Ijaw LGA, an illegal refining site, there are more than 1,500 liters of crude oil and 300 liters of illegally refined car gasoline oil. ”
Similarly, in the Delta State, troops raided illegal refining sites in Warri South LGA, especially in the Egbokodo Itsekiri community, where they confiscated Jeriches filled with illegal refining and destroyed cellophane used in the illegal trade.
The Army also reported progress in Akwa Ibom state where the troops increased surveillance to prevent oil thieves from continuing their activities.
Army chief warns oil thieves
Major General Emmanue EmekahThe commander-in-chief of the Sixth Division instructed the troops to strengthen efforts to dismantle illegal oil refining operations. He urged them to maintain a safe environment so that legal oil exploration activities can flourish.
Emkah issued a stern warning to those involved in illegal refining, urging them to seek legal means of livelihood or face the full weight of the law.
