Army Arrests 9 Oil Thieves, Destroys Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

According to Ireporter Online, troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested nine suspected oil thieves and dismantled 10 illegal refining sites in a sweeping crackdown on crude oil theft across the Niger Delta region.

The military operations, conducted between April 1 and April 26, 2026, covered parts of Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, targeting entrenched oil theft networks operating in creeks, forests, and remote communities. The Army also confiscated over 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and more than 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), with the total value of recovered products estimated at over ₦250 million.

Speaking in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said troops, acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies, recorded multiple breakthroughs during the period under review.

In Rivers State, troops intercepted an abandoned truck with registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano along the East-West Road in Ukpeye Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area, reportedly loaded with about 45,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. Further operations led to the discovery of a large reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA, as well as another site holding more than 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

At Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops seized 266 sacks containing approximately 17,760 litres of stolen petroleum products. Additional discoveries in Abessa Forest included four drum ovens and 50 sacks with over 3,000 litres of crude oil, alongside destroyed waste pits used for illegal refining activities. In Okolomade, Abua/Odual LGA, troops also recovered 30 sacks containing more than 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil.

In Delta State, an illegal tapping point was uncovered in Obazogbe Community, Ethiope LGA, alongside a storage pit located about 500 metres away, containing over 2,700 litres of stolen petroleum products. In Akwa Ibom State, troops recovered 45 bags containing about 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO in Ikot Ekpene LGA, while suspects fled the scene.

The Army further disclosed that operations in Bayelsa State have continued to disrupt oil theft activities and deny criminal networks access to illegal refining facilities. The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, charged troops to sustain the momentum and intensify efforts against economic sabotage in the region, noting that several illegal refining equipment were destroyed during the operations.