The 6 Division, Nigerian Army said its operatives have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 18 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta Region.
Also, the Army said 60,000 litres of stolen products were seized during the crackdown against oil theft and related crimes in the region. It said the special operation, which lasted for six days across three states of the region, was in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The statement partly reads, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in the ongoing crackdown against Crude Oil Theft as well as other associated crimes conducted in the Niger Delta Region.
“This was from 24th to 30th March 2025. The operations which were conducted across the Joint Operations Area with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and other items recovered.
“The operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area, led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products. Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA concealed with bags of Sawdust, conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting troops.
“Relatedly, along the Imo River, the anti-COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. While around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Troops also closed up on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes destroyed.”
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