Army arrests 29 oil thieves, recovers 60,000 litres of stolen products

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 29 suspected oil thieves and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of operations across the Niger Delta region.

The crackdown, conducted between February 3 and 9, 2025, also resulted in the deactivation of 24 illegal refining sites and the demobilisation of 11 boats used for oil theft, according to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah.

Jonah disclosed that troops along the Imo River deactivated six illegal refining sites, destroyed 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers, and recovered over 18,000 litres of stolen crude. Similarly, in Oyigbo Local Council, troops uncovered a reservoir containing over 1,000 litres of stolen products and 100 sacks holding more than 1,500 litres of stolen crude.

In the Buguma area of Asari-Toru Local Council, troops dismantled one illegal refining site equipped with two large pots and receivers containing over 9,000 litres of stolen crude.

Elsewhere, around Ebocha Well 5, troops discovered an active illegal refining site and seized reservoirs containing 5,900 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and 3,500 litres of stolen crude.

Also, in Delta State, troops intercepted 70 sacks along a Seepco Energy pipeline and recovered over 2,800 litres of stolen products.

In Bayelsa State, two illegal refining sites were destroyed near Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa Local Council and Okarki in Ahoada West Local Council. Troops also seized 2,500 litres of AGO in sacks around the Biseni community on the Niger River bank and Akpedi in Yenagoa Local Council.

Jonah said operations were conducted in various locations, including Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa, and Ukwa, to dismantle illegal refining sites and deny criminals the freedom to operate.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to combating oil theft in the region and urged residents to provide intelligence on illegal activities.