Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, operating in collaboration with other security agencies, have recorded major successes in the ongoing crackdown on oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related economic crimes across the Niger Delta region.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, disclosed that between November 23 and December 28, 2025, troops arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 22 illegal refining and bunkering hubs, and recovered over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at more than N150 million.
According to Danjuma, the sustained and coordinated operations significantly disrupted criminal networks and denied them freedom of action across several oil-producing states.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site at Siebu Creek in Ogbienbiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, where a reservoir containing more than 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil was discovered alongside a pumping machine.
He said further operations around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area led to the deactivation of multiple illegal refining sites and the recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. At Okarki waterside in Ogbia Local Government Area, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat concealed along the riverbank and loaded with 37 sacks containing 2,775 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Rivers State, Danjuma said operations at Ogale Community in Eleme Local Government Area resulted in the discovery of 350 sacks containing over 10,500 litres of stolen crude oil. Around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area, two illegal refining sites were destroyed, with more than 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
He added that troops traced a nine-kilometre-long hose at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual Local Government Area to four illegal refining sites equipped with large ovens, receivers and dugout pits holding over 7,000 litres of crude oil. Additional seizures were made at Okolomade in the same council area, where 31 sacks containing 2,325 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
Troops also foiled an attempt to sabotage a pipeline at Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area, recovering tools and equipment used for illegal tapping. Further seizures were recorded in Okrika Local Government Area, Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and OML 18 Alakiri, where more than 6,000 litres of condensates were recovered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway in Agbor while it was discharging 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into a PMS pit. Additional operations in Sapele Local Government Area led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of over 2,600 litres of stolen crude oil.
Patrols around Otorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli South Local Government Area resulted in the interception of two vehicles conveying 1,475 litres of illegally refined condensates, with two suspects arrested.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops uncovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) at Ikot Ntuen Village in Abak Local Government Area, where 20 jerricans of stolen AGO were recovered.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged them to sustain the momentum against economic saboteurs. He also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue supporting security agencies in the protection of critical national infrastructure.
