By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, has announced the arrest of 14 suspected oil thieves and the confiscation of over 20,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region by its operatives.
It added that troops dismantled 14 illegal refining sites during a discreet operation across some flashpoints in the region.
According to a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, November 10, by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, the feat was achieved during a raid spanning over two weeks across some flashpoints in the oil-rich region.
The Army said it would intensify the onslaught against oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region in collaboration with other security agencies.
The statement read, “Troops of the 6 Division, in synergy with other security agencies, have intensified the onslaught against oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region. In several operations conducted between 20 October and 9 November 2025, remarkable gains were recorded.
“These resulted in the dismantling of 14 illegal refining hubs, the arrest of fourteen suspected oil thieves, and the confiscation of over 20,205 litres of stolen products across the region.
“In Rivers State, along the fringes of the Imo River, troops deactivated six illegal refining sites, destroyed fourteen drum pots and nine drum receivers, as well as confiscated over 8,000 litres of stolen products.
“The recoveries were made around Asa, Okonta, and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, and Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State. Additionally, recoveries were also made at the abandoned Wellhead 3, around the remote manifold axis, where forty-two sacks containing over 1,250 litres of stolen crude oil were seized.
“Operations were also conducted around Ozochi Community in Ahoada East LGA, and Angalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA with recoveries made.”
The Army said a similar operation was carried out by troops in Delta State around Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA, which led to the arrest of three suspected oil thieves while a J5 bus and one motorcycle were impounded, and over 4,000 litres of condensate recovered.
It stated, “Also, at Bipoko Community in Warri South LGA, troops discovered an active illegal refining site with a cooking oven and thirty-eight sacks filled with over 1,140 litres of stolen crude oil.
“In Akwa Ibom State, following actionable intelligence, troops intercepted a truck while transloading Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from an underground storage facility at Olive Field Filling Station along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road in Ikot Ekpene LGA. The truck was loaded with over 3,287 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“In Bayelsa State, troops also sustained operations against economic saboteurs. All the suspects arrested, as well as the confiscated products, were handled in line with the subsisting operational mandate.”
