Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have arrested 69 suspected oil thieves, confiscated over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the ongoing anti-crude oil theft fight in the Niger Delta region.

The Army, in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operation was in collaboration with other security agencies and was conducted between 11 and 24 August 2025.

According to Lt Col Danjuma, within the period significant operational successes were recorded, including the deactivation of nine illegal refining sites, the arrest of 69 suspects for oil theft and related offences, as well as the confiscation of over 32,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

He said in Delta State, anti-COT operations led to the interception of two trucks loaded with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Sapele LGA, adding that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

At One Man Village in Sapele, he said troops recovered 16 cellophane bags filled with illegally refined AGO, while at Nana Town in Warri North, several drums and four jerricans of illegally refined AGO were uncovered.

While in Rivers State, at Kilometre 45 in Degema Local Government Area (LGA), troops deactivated three illegal refining sites, recovered over 7,000 litres of stolen products, and seized a wooden boat.

Similarly, in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Lt Col Danjuma said troops intercepted two wooden boats loaded with eight sacks of stolen condensates.
He also added that a dugout pit containing over 1,500 litres of condensate was discovered near an identified illegal connection point, and at Izuoma Community around Sampson Estate in Oyigbo, over 1,500 litres of stolen products were also recovered.

Relatedly, at Akankurma Okoloma in Okrika, troops dismantled an illegal refining site and confiscated a drum pot, a receiver, and five drums filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the offences.

In a separate operation around Ataba in Andoni LGA, troops seized one fibre boat, one cooking pot, ten-inch pipes, and five valves. Seizures were also made along Imo River, where over 2,000 litres of stolen products were recovered in an operation that led to the deactivation of two illegal refining sites, four drum pots, and two receivers around Obuzor and the Oyigbo general area.

Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, where two large reservoirs filled with over 7,000 litres of stolen crude were discovered. This was in addition to five drums and receivers destroyed at the site.

Whereas in Akwa Ibom State, troops dominated the operational area, effectively denying criminal elements the freedom to operate. All the suspects taken into custody were handed over to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution, while products confiscated are handled in line with existing operational mandate.