The ongoing crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta has yielded significant breakthroughs, with security forces deactivating 31 illegal refining sites, arresting 29 suspected oil thieves, and demobilizing 26 boats used for illicit activities. The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies from February 3 to 9, 2025, also led to the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined products across multiple states.

In Rivers State, a major operation at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA) resulted in the deactivation of 10 illegal refining sites and the seizure of 15 cooking pots, a heavy-duty generator, and two massive reservoirs containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude. Additionally, three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200-meter-long hose used for siphoning crude were recovered. The items were strategically hidden under thick forest cover to evade aerial surveillance. Along Oloma in Bonny Island LGA, three suspected oil thieves were intercepted with a wooden boat laden with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude, while in Karakarma, four illegal refining sites and four boats were destroyed, with 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated.

Further operations in Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo, Obio Akpor LGA, uncovered four GP tanks filled with 9,500 litres of stolen crude disguised as a bakery. Similar raids in Bille and Kumbufari Creeks, Degema LGA, led to the destruction of multiple illegal refining sites and the seizure of over 9,000 litres of stolen products. At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), security forces dismantled an active refining site and seized a large metal oven drum, hoses, and a reservoir containing 6,000 litres of stolen products. Additional seizures were made in Omoku (ONELGA), Joinkrama 4 (Ahoada West LGA), and Karakarma Community in Degema LGA.

In Delta State, security operatives intercepted a truck transporting over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen crude. At Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illegal refining were destroyed, and 4,000 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similar raids in Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South LGA, uncovered three active illegal refining sites, multiple holding facilities, and over 3,000 litres of stolen crude. Further seizures were made in Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Ughoton, and Alele communities.

In Bayelsa State, troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves but overpowered them, forcing the criminals to flee. Follow-up operations led to the recovery of over 12,000 litres of stolen crude and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Other items seized included seven wheelbarrows and a motorcycle. In Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were dismantled, along with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses, and dugout pits containing 5,800 litres of stolen crude and 200 litres of AGO. Along Biseni-Samabiri Road, a Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks was recovered. Additionally, troops seized over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO hidden in two residential buildings after the occupants fled upon sighting security forces.

In Akwa Ibom, security forces intercepted over 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 20 jerricans, each containing 280 litres, at Oron LGA. The products were suspected to be destined for smuggling to a neighboring country through the waterways.

Commending the troops for their achievements, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged them to sustain the pressure on oil thieves. He also warned economic saboteurs to abandon illegal activities and embrace lawful means of livelihood or face the full weight of the law.