The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division says its troops have arrested 14 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 20,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during recent operations in the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued Monday in Port Harcourt, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Jonah Danjuma, said the two-week-long crackdown also led to the dismantling of 14 illegal refining sites across identified hotspots.
The Army said the operations, conducted between October 20 and November 9, were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies as part of efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining.
In Rivers State, troops reportedly shut down six refining sites along the Imo River, destroying 14 drum pots and nine drum receivers while confiscating more than 8,000 litres of stolen products. Additional seizures were made in Asa, Okonta, and Okoloma in Oyigbo Local Government Area, and Obuzor in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
The statement noted that soldiers also recovered 42 sacks containing about 1,250 litres of crude oil near an abandoned wellhead around the remote manifold axis. Further recoveries were recorded in Ozochi (Ahoada East) and Angalama (Asari-Toru).
In Delta State, the Army said three suspects were arrested in Eruemukohwarien, Ughelli North LGA, where a J5 bus and a motorcycle were impounded. Troops also recovered more than 4,000 litres of condensate. At Bipoko in Warri South LGA, an active illegal refining site with a cooking oven and 38 sacks holding over 1,140 litres of stolen crude was discovered.
Troops in Akwa Ibom reportedly intercepted a truck transloading illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil from an underground storage facility at a filling station along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road. The vehicle contained more than 3,287 litres of AGO.
Operations continued in Bayelsa State, where suspects and confiscated products were taken into custody in line with operational procedures.
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to maintain the momentum against oil theft and economic sabotage.
