Army Arrests 14 Oil Thieves, Dismantles Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, has arrested 14 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a coordinated offensive across the Niger Delta.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, November 11, by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma.

According to the division, the feat was recorded during a series of discreet raids conducted between 20 October and 9 November 2025 across multiple oil theft flashpoints in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.

The statement revealed that troops destroyed 14 illegal refining sites, arrested 14 suspects and confiscated 20,205 litres of illegally refined products and crude oil.

“In several operations conducted between 20 October and 9 November 2025, remarkable gains were recorded,” the Army said.

“These resulted in the dismantling of fourteen 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, troops operating around the fringes of the Imo River deactivated six illegal refining sites. Fourteen drum pots, nine drum receivers and more than 8,000 litres of stolen products were destroyed or seized.

Naija News understands that the recoveries were made in Asa, Okonta and Okoloma in Oyigbo LGA, as well as Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.

Troops also discovered abandoned Wellhead 3 near a remote manifold axis, where they seized forty-two sacks containing 1,250 litres of stolen crude.

Additional operations were recorded in Ozochi Community in Ahoada East LGA and Angalama Community in Asari-Toru LGA.

In Delta State, a raid around Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA resulted in the arrest of three suspected oil thieves. Troops impounded a J5 bus and one motorcycle used for transporting illegal products.

They also recovered over 4,000 litres of condensate from the suspects.

At Bipoko Community in Warri South LGA, troops uncovered an active illegal refining site with a large cooking oven and thirty-eight sacks containing 1,140 litres of stolen crude oil.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops acted on intelligence and intercepted a truck that was transloading illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil from an underground storage tank at Olive Field Filling Station along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road.

Troops in Bayelsa State also sustained pressure on oil theft syndicates and economic saboteurs. The Army confirmed that all suspects and confiscated items were processed in accordance with operational guidelines.

Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, hailed the troops for their successes and urged them to maintain the operational momentum.

He charged the division to intensify collaboration with other security agencies in the ongoing battle against crude oil theft, vandalism and illegal refining across the Niger Delta.

Source: Naijanews