Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified crackdown on oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, leading to the destruction of 19 illegal refineries and the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves.
The week-long operation, conducted between March 17 and 23 2025, also resulted in the seizure of over 138,000 litres of stolen crude oil across several states in the region.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operations were intelligence-led and executed in collaboration with other security agencies.
“During the operations in Rivers State, troops intercepted a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of stolen crude along the Apajo-Iwoji-Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The driver abandoned the truck and fled on sighting the troops,” Danjuma revealed. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of multiple plate numbers, raising suspicions of its use in illegal oil bunkering.
“In another operation at the fringes of the Imo River, the army dismantled numerous artisanal refineries, seizing 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers containing over 4,500 litres of stolen crude. At Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven with 40 sacks filled with approximately 1,200 litres of stolen crude.
“Further south, in Bonny Island LGA, the military raided an illegal refining site at Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge, where suspected oil thieves abandoned their equipment and fled. Among the recovered items were a 6 KVA generator, a welding machine, five drilling machines, two drilling cups, and 38 bolts and nuts.
Similar crackdowns were carried out in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs, spanning Rivers and Bayelsa states.
“Our troops raided seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama IV and Biseni, destroying multiple refining sites and recovering over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil,” Danjuma stated.
Additional seizures included a wooden boat and over 1,550 litres of stolen crude found in cellophane bags along the waterways, according to the statement.
“In Delta State, an illegal bunkering truck with an inbuilt iron tank, bearing registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB, was intercepted along the NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline in Ethiope West LGA. The vehicle was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be filled.
“The operation also extended to Akwa Ibom, where troops intercepted a Toyota Avalon loaded with over 1,620 litres of stolen crude in 54 cellophane bags along the Iko-Okorete road in Eastern Obolo LGA. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities.”
Reacting, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Port Harcourt, commended the troops for their efforts and directed them to intensify operations to eliminate oil theft in the region.
“We must scale up our anti-crude oil theft operations to deny criminals the freedom to operate. I urge residents to provide credible information on illegal activities so we can put an end to this economic sabotage,” Emekah emphasized.
The Nigerian Army has assured that all suspects will be prosecuted, while the confiscated stolen products will be handled in line with operational mandates.
