The Nigerian Army has intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, arresting nineteen suspected oil thieves and dismantling twenty-two illegal refining sites across multiple states.
The operations were carried out by troops of the Six Division of the Nigerian Army, a major operational formation responsible for security across parts of southern Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta, which is critical to the country’s petroleum production and export earnings.
Okay News reports that the nearly one-month-long coordinated security exercise was conducted in collaboration with other Nigerian security agencies and spanned four states within the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Six Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, disclosed the details in an official statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria’s key oil and gas hub and one of the capitals of the Niger Delta.
According to Danjuma, the operations led to the recovery of more than one hundred and eighty thousand litres of stolen petroleum products valued at approximately ₦150,000,000.00, alongside the destruction of extensive illegal refining infrastructure.
He stated, “Troops of Six Division, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with other security agencies, have continued to dominate the operational landscape, effectively denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Niger Delta Region.”
“In several operations conducted, nineteen suspected oil thieves were apprehended, with twenty-two illegal refining hubs destroyed, and over one hundred and eighty thousand litres of stolen products, worth over One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000.00), recovered.”
Danjuma explained that the coordinated military operations took place between Saturday, Twenty-Third November, and Sunday, Twenty-Eighth December, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five, specifically targeting crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and associated economic crimes across the Niger Delta region.
Providing a detailed breakdown, he said troops deactivated an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, located in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where they recovered a large reservoir containing over seventy-five thousand litres of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine.
He added that multiple operations were also conducted around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State’s capital city, leading to the destruction of several illegal refining facilities and the recovery of over seventeen thousand litres of stolen petroleum products.
At Okarki Waterside in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, troops intercepted a large wooden Cotonou boat hidden along the riverbank and loaded with thirty-seven sacks containing two thousand seven hundred and seventy-five litres of stolen crude oil.
In Rivers State, Nigeria’s second-largest oil-producing state, Danjuma said troops uncovered three hundred and fifty sacks filled with more than ten thousand five hundred litres of stolen crude oil in Ogale Community, Eleme Local Government Area.
He further disclosed that two illegal refining sites were destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where troops recovered sacks and a reservoir containing over three thousand litres of stolen crude oil.
“A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, where troops traced a long hose spanning over nine kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites,” Danjuma said.
“These comprised four large ovens with a capacity of thirty thousand litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over seven thousand litres of crude oil.”
He added that a pumping machine with five large reservoirs was destroyed, while thirty-one sacks containing two thousand three hundred and twenty-five litres of stolen crude oil were recovered at Okolomade, concealed along the Okomade–Otuasega Road.
Danjuma also revealed that troops thwarted an attempted pipeline breach around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area of Rivers State, following credible intelligence.
He said, “Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one nine point nine horsepower Yamaha engine and four units of twenty-five litre jerricans.”
Additional seizures were made in Okrika Local Government Area, Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and Oil Mining Lease Eighteen Alakiri, with a cumulative recovery of over six thousand litres of condensates.
In Delta State, located in southern Nigeria and another major oil-producing region, Danjuma said troops intercepted a truck with registration number SAG 292 XB along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging forty-five thousand litres of diverted petroleum products into a Premium Motor Spirit pit.
He further disclosed that two suspected oil thieves were arrested behind Deeper Life Camp in Sapele Local Government Area following intelligence-led operations.
According to him, one hundred and four sacks containing over two thousand six hundred litres of stolen crude oil were recovered during these operations.
“While on routine patrol around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South Local Government Area, troops intercepted two vehicles conveying illegally refined condensates estimated at one thousand four hundred and seventy-five litres,” he said.
The vehicles included one with registration number Delta PTN 140 AA and a Toyota Hiace mini shuttle bus with registration number Anambra AWK 302 ZD, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
In Akwa Ibom State, a coastal state in southern Nigeria, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil at Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak Local Government Area, where twenty jerry cans filled with stolen petroleum products were recovered.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding of the Six Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, praised the troops for their commitment and urged them to sustain the operational tempo against what he described as economic saboteurs.
The senior military officer also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to support ongoing security efforts, warning that oil theft and pipeline vandalism undermine Nigeria’s national economy and damage critical energy infrastructure.
