Nigerian Army intensifies fight against oil theft in Niger Delta, arresting suspects, dismantling illegal refineries, and seizing over 20,000 litres of fuel.
The Nigerian Army has intensified operations against oil theft in Niger Delta, resulting in the arrest of fourteen suspects, the dismantling of fourteen illegal refining sites, and the confiscation of over 20,205 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Troops from the 6 Division, working alongside other security agencies, carried out a series of coordinated operations between October 20 and November 9, 2025, targeting criminal networks responsible for large-scale illegal oil activities.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, the operations were intelligence-driven and designed to curb the growing menace of oil theft in Niger Delta communities.
“These actions are in line with the Army’s mandate to protect Nigeria’s economic resources and maintain national security,” he explained.
In Rivers State, troops deactivated six illegal refining sites along the Imo River fringes, destroying fourteen drum pots and nine drum receivers, and confiscating over 8,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Recoveries were made in Asa, Okonta, Okoloma (Oyigbo LGA), and Obuzor (Ukwa West LGA, Abia State). Additional seizures were made at abandoned Wellhead 3, including forty-two sacks containing approximately 1,250 litres of stolen crude oil.
Operations extended to Ozochi community (Ahoada East LGA) and Angalama community (Asari-Toru LGA), yielding further recoveries.
In Delta State, three suspects were arrested around Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA, alongside a J5 bus and motorcycle used to transport stolen condensate.
Over 4,000 litres of condensate were recovered. In Bipoko community, Warri South LGA, troops dismantled an active illegal refining site with a cooking oven and thirty-eight sacks containing 1,140 litres of crude oil.
In Akwa Ibom State, actionable intelligence led to the interception of a truck transloading Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) from an underground storage facility at Olive Field Filling Station, Ikot Ekpene LGA. The truck was loaded with over 3,287 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Operations also continued in Bayelsa State, targeting oil thieves and pipeline vandals. All suspects and confiscated products were handled per military operational guidelines.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma reiterated the Army’s commitment to eradicating oil theft in Niger Delta through intelligence-led operations, enhanced surveillance, and collaboration with other security agencies.
He emphasized that illegal refining not only deprives the country of revenue but also causes significant environmental damage.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their professionalism and success, urging them to sustain the operational momentum.
He also called on local communities to provide timely intelligence to further disrupt illegal refining networks.
The Army has pledged to maintain constant monitoring of high-risk areas, deploy aerial reconnaissance, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to ensure that illegal operators have no refuge.
According to Lt.-Col. Danjuma, the operations represent a decisive step toward eliminating oil theft in Niger Delta and securing Nigeria’s economic assets.
The sustained crackdown on oil theft in Niger Delta demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting national resources and fostering security in oil-producing communities.
Through coordinated operations, intelligence-led interventions, and community engagement, the military aims to permanently halt the activities of oil thieves, dismantle illegal refining networks, and safeguard the environment.
With continued vigilance and support from local communities, the Nigerian Army remains determined to eliminate oil theft in Niger Delta, ensuring that economic sabotage no longer threatens the nation’s oil wealth.
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