In a sustained offensive against economic sabotage, troops from the Nigerian Army's 6 Division have dealt a significant blow to oil theft networks in the Niger Delta Region. Acting in concert with other security agencies, the military operation, which spanned over a month, led to the arrest of 19 suspects and the dismantling of 22 illegal refining and bunkering hubs.
Major Seizures and Arrests Across States
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, the coordinated operations took place between 23 November and 28 December 2025. The troops successfully recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen crude oil and other petroleum products. The estimated value of the seized items exceeds ₦150 million.
Danjuma detailed that the operations severely disrupted criminal activities and denied oil thieves freedom of action across several oil-producing states. The crackdown yielded substantial results in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.
State-by-State Breakdown of Operations
In Bayelsa State, a major illegal refining site was dismantled at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. There, troops discovered a massive reservoir containing over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil alongside a pumping machine. Further operations around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA led to the deactivation of multiple sites and the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, a large concealed Cotonou boat was intercepted, loaded with 37 sacks holding 2,775 litres of stolen crude.
The offensive in Rivers State was equally impactful. Operations at Ogale Community in Eleme LGA uncovered 350 sacks containing over 10,500 litres of stolen crude oil. In Okarki Forest, Ahoada West LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 3,000 litres recovered. A particularly revealing discovery was made at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, where troops traced a 9-kilometre-long hose to four illegal sites equipped with large ovens and receivers, holding more than 7,000 litres of crude. Troops also thwarted a pipeline tampering attempt at Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging a staggering 45,000 litres of diverted products into a pit. Operations in Sapele LGA led to two arrests and the recovery of over 2,600 litres of crude. Patrols near the Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South LGA intercepted two vehicles carrying 1,475 litres of illegally refined condensate, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) was discovered in Ikot Ntuen Village, Abak LGA, resulting in the recovery of 20 jerricans of the stolen product.
Leadership Commends Troops, Calls for Public Support
The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts. He charged them to maintain the relentless momentum against those sabotaging the nation's economy.
Emekah also urged residents of the Niger Delta to continue their support for security forces in the vital mission of protecting the country's critical national infrastructure from vandalism and theft.
