Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have intensified their crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling seven illegal refining sites and arresting four suspected oil thieves. The operations, conducted between November 10 and 23, 2025, also led to the recovery of over 109,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at more than N150 million.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt, noting that the feat was achieved through coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
According to the statement, troops deactivated three illegal refining sites around Okolomade in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, seizing over 40,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 20,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additional raids around the Imo River axis uncovered three more refining camps containing several drum pots, receivers, and over 14,700 litres of stolen crude.
A separate intelligence-led operation in Abuloma, Okrika LGA, uncovered 1,050 sacks of crude—amounting to over 32,000 litres—while troops in Akuku-Toru LGA intercepted a Cotonou boat transporting illegally refined AGO. In Akwa Ibom, another raid led to the seizure of over 520 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in a suspected depot.
Operations in Delta and Bayelsa states also disrupted the activities of fleeing oil thieves, with troops recovering additional quantities of stolen crude.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, praised the troops and urged residents to support security efforts with credible intelligence.
