…recovers 290,000 litres of stolen products in major crackdown
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified their clampdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining operations across the Niger Delta, arresting 28 suspects and recovering over 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of coordinated raids conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025.
The Army said in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, that the operations, carried out in conjunction with other security agencies, led to the deactivation of four illegal refining sites and the seizure of several boats, tankers, and vehicles used in transporting stolen crude and refined products.
In Rivers State, troops recorded significant breakthroughs, particularly in Okrika Local Government Area, where two wooden boats were intercepted while siphoning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel at a jetty. Another two boats, one of them loaded with over 33,000 litres of stolen products, were seized at the same location. A separate interception yielded an additional 5,000 litres of illegally obtained fuel.
Acting on a tip-off in Elele Alimini, Emohua Local Government Area, troops impounded a tanker with registration number Rivers JJN 287 ZU, believed to be carrying 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. Two suspects — the driver and his assistant — were arrested at the scene. Similarly, in Okolomade, Abua/Odual LGA, soldiers recovered about 2,600 litres of illegally refined diesel.
In Abia State, troops operating along the Imo River axis deactivated two illegal refining sites in Obuzor and Asa Asa, Ukwa West LGA, recovering three drum pots, three receivers, and over 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil. At the Orashi River waterside, two wooden boats conveying 700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene were intercepted, leading to the arrest of six suspects.
In Delta State, soldiers stormed Ethiope East LGA following intelligence on illegal activities along the PAN Ocean Pipeline right of way. Although some suspects fled, one was apprehended, and several items — including vandalized pipes, hoses, vehicles, and 1,650 litres of stolen fuel — were recovered.
Additionally, troops patrolling the Midwestern Oil and Gas Pipeline corridor at Umusan-Obodogwa in Ndokwa West LGA intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck loaded with 24 pieces of 14-inch pipes and three gas cylinders suspected to have been stolen from SEPCO Oil and Gas pipeline facilities at Kwale. Two suspects were detained. In Ughelli North LGA, a Toyota Hiace bus carrying ten drums filled with 2,500 litres of condensate was seized, and the driver taken into custody.
The Army further disclosed that troops have intensified both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, maintaining firm control over critical oil infrastructure and denying criminals operational freedom.
Commending the troops for their successes, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, lauded their commitment to protecting the nation’s economic assets. He urged them to sustain the tempo of operations to completely dismantle oil theft networks and restore sanity to the Niger Delta’s oil-producing areas.
