Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves and uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites across the Niger Delta Region during operations conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2025.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, resulting in the recovery of over 161,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Bayelsa State Operations
In Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 along Zarama-Joinkrama 4, which was connected to an illegal refining site. The operation led to the recovery of five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Further operations in Biseni Community, Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, uncovered two illegal connection points linked to the pipeline and connected to an illegal refining site. The troops recovered 19 big pots, 18 drum pots, 36 drum receivers, 19 drum coolants, a pumping machine, and 6 metallic drum receivers containing over 4,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO). Additionally, over 27,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 460 sacks were handled.
Rivers State Discoveries
In Rivers State, troops intercepted a fibre boat, a wooden boat, and a large wooden barge filled with over 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Eight suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with these crimes.
Around Dorger Land Community in Okrika LGA, a wooden boat laden with 18,980 litres of PMS was intercepted, with three suspected oil thieves apprehended. Additional operations in Ahoada West and Degema LGAs led to more discoveries.
Along Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an illegal refining site was uncovered with two cooking ovens, drums, and receivers, as well as over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
Akwa Ibom and Delta States Operations
In Akwa Ibom State, a suspected oil thief was arrested at Ekparakwa along Ikot Abasi-Oruk Anam LGA. The suspect was transporting 63 nylon bags filled with over 1,900 litres of stolen AGO in an Infinity Jeep with Registration Number APR 105 KX Abia State.
Two additional suspects were arrested along Abak-Ikot Abasi road in Abak LGA, in a Toyota Camry with Registration Number UJ 804 KJA Lagos, loaded with over 840 litres of PMS stored in 31 nylon bags.
In Delta State, within Obodo, Ugbukoko, Jatumi, and Obofo Oil Fields in Warri South LGA, troops discovered two wooden boats loaded with over 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags concealed in a creek. At Bennett Ogboloja area, also in Warri South LGA, two illegal refining sites, two ovens, two pumping machines, and a makeshift shop stocked with drums of illegally refined AGO, estimated to be over 500 litres, were handled.
The Nigerian Army's continued crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta region demonstrates the military's commitment to protecting Nigeria's natural resources and economic interests.
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