Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have intensified crackdown on oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

Between June 9 and 29, 2025, troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully deactivated 23 illegal refining sites and arrested 46 suspected oil thieves and their associated criminals.

According to Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operations resulted in the recovery of over 30,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

He said in Bayelsa State, troops destroyed nine big pots, 16 drum pots, four receivers, and four drum coolants in Biseni Community, Adibawa, and recovered over 6,000 litres of stolen crude.

Additionally, two suspected criminals were apprehended in possession of locally fabricated pistols with 9mm rounds at Otueke in Ogbia LGA.

While in Rivers State, Danjuma said, in the Kilometre 45 general area in Degema LGA, 6 illegal refining sites were uncovered, with over 5,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated. Additionally, at the Kula 1 general area in Akuku-Toru LGA, an illegal refining site was dismantled, containing four cooking ovens, four receivers, and four drums filled with over 2,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) that were handled appropriately.

He said, “Four suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the malfeasance. Also, clearance operations conducted along the Imo River led to the destruction of six illegal refining sites, 32 drum pots, nine drum receivers, and 10 sacks with over 2,000 litres of crude oil recovered around Obuzor and Okoloma general areas in Ukwa West and Oyigbo LGAs of Abia and Rivers States, respectively.”

Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, troops raided a warehouse at Ukanafun LGA, where 131 nylon bags filled with over 3,930 litres of stolen products were recovered. Relatedly, at the Ebughu area in Mbo LGA, troops intercepted seven 30-litre jerricans filled with over 300 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Meanwhile, in Delta State, at Kwale in Ndokwa East LGA, troops discovered a store at a tanker park along Asaba expressway, with 150 sacks filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Troops also intercepted a vacuum truck with Registration Number Delta LEH 167 SP loaded with stolen crude at Yanga market road, Oleh in Isoko North LGA. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.