Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites as part of ongoing operations to combat crude oil theft and associated crimes in the Niger Delta region. The crackdown, conducted between March 24 and March 30, 2025, resulted in the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and other materials.

Operations in Rivers State, particularly along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), led to the interception of a fabricated twin-tank truck containing 18,000 litres of stolen products. Additionally, a MAN Diesel container truck, registered as LXA 44 XA, was seized while attempting to transport an unquantified quantity of stolen petroleum concealed with sawdust. The suspects fled upon sighting the troops.

Further anti-crude oil theft (COT) operations in the Imo River area led to the discovery and dismantling of several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers, with over 15,000 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered. In Rumuekpe Forest, Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites were raided, yielding 2,800 litres of stolen products. Additional seizures were made in Ebocha and Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, as well as in Jelikri Creek, Degema LGA, where multiple refining sites, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes were destroyed.

In Bayelsa State, operations targeted Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, leading to the discovery of two illegal refining sites containing cooking ovens and over 8,000 litres of stolen crude oil stored in drums and sacks. In Southern Ijaw LGA, an illegal refining site at Okighene was raided, with troops recovering 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).

Delta State also witnessed a significant crackdown, particularly in Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, where troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed numerous cellophane bags used for illicit activities. In Akwa Ibom State, troops intensified operations, limiting the activities of oil thieves and denying them freedom of action.

Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to intensify the crackdown on oil theft. He reaffirmed the division’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for legitimate oil exploration and warned criminals to abandon illegal activities or face the full force of the law.