Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves and deactivated 22 illegal bunkering and refining hubs across the Niger Delta Region in an intensified crackdown on crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
This is confirmed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Danjuma Jonah, on Monday.
The Army said the operations, carried out between November 23 and December 28, 2025, led to the recovery of more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at over ₦150 million.
In Bayelsa State, troops operating at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, dismantled an illegal refining site and uncovered a reservoir containing over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil, alongside a pumping machine.
Similar operations around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area resulted in the destruction of several illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 17,000 litres of stolen products.
At Okarki waterside in Ogbia Local Government Area, soldiers intercepted a large Cotonou boat concealed along the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks containing 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
In Rivers State, troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude at Ogale community in Eleme Local Government Area.
Two illegal refining sites were also destroyed in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where more than 3,000 litres of crude were recovered. At Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, troops traced a nine-kilometre-long hose leading to four illegal refining sites with large-capacity ovens, reservoirs, and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil.
Additional seizures were made at Okolomade in the same council area, where 31 sacks containing 2,325 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
The Army also said troops foiled attempts to vandalise pipelines around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area, recovering tools and equipment used for illegal bunkering.
Further seizures of over 6,000 litres of condensates were recorded in Okrika, Ikwerre, and OML 18 Alakiri axis of the state.
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In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into an illegal pit.
Additional operations in Sapele Local Government Area led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of over 2,600 litres of stolen crude. In Ughelli South Local Government Area, two vehicles conveying 1,475 litres of illegally refined condensates were intercepted, with two suspects arrested.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops discovered a stockpile of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil at a warehouse in Ikot Ntuen village, Abak Local Government Area, where several jerricans of stolen products were recovered.
Commending the troops for the successes recorded, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged them to sustain the operational tempo against economic saboteurs.
He also called on residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting security agencies in protecting critical national infrastructure.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in oil theft and ensuring economic stability in the region.
