Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 62 suspects involved in oil theft and related crimes during a week-long operation across the Niger Delta region.
The arrests, made between July 14 and 20, 2025, took place in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, according to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations.
During the coordinated operations, troops dismantled 14 illegal refining sites, seized five boats, and recovered over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Rivers State, six illegal refining sites were deactivated around an abandoned wellhead in Joinkrama 4, Ahoada West LGA. Troops recovered 300,000 litres of crude oil, 21,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), six large ovens, a generator, a welding machine, and several shovels. Additional illegal sites were found in Obiafor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, along with three dug-out pits, two of which contained over 5,700 litres of stolen crude oil. A vehicle carrying 1,920 litres of AGO was also intercepted in Elele, Ikwerre LGA.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled four refining sites and pits in the Biseni area of Yenagoa LGA. Over 10,000 litres of AGO and five cooking ovens were destroyed.
In Delta State, two suspects were arrested in Sapele LGA, and two boats containing 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO were confiscated.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, clearance operations continued to disrupt criminal activities and restrict illegal movement.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, praised the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the momentum to combat oil theft and related economic sabotage in the region.
