Troops of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 50 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 11 illegal refining sites in a series of coordinated operations across the Niger Delta.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He said the operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, took place between June 30 and July 13, 2025.
According to him, the troops recovered over 25,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and uncovered several illegal connection points used for siphoning crude oil.
In one of the major operations around the Imo River axis, spanning Obuzor and Ozaa West communities in Ukwa West Local Government Areas of Abia and Rivers States, troops destroyed seven illegal refineries, 35 drum pots, 14 drum receivers, and three large coolants. Over 6,000 litres of crude oil were also recovered during the operation.
The statement further revealed that similar crackdowns were carried out in parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states, resulting in additional arrests and seizures.
The army reiterated its commitment to sustaining the fight against oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region, which continues to pose a major threat to Nigeria’s economy and environment.
