The Nigerian Army’s 6th Division has apprehended 71 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 33,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in coordinated operations across Rivers and other Niger Delta states.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the division, the operations were conducted between July 21 and August 10, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies.
Troops dismantled 14 illegal refining sites during the raids. In Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, two refining sites were destroyed and over 22,500 litres of stolen crude oil recovered, while two wooden boats used for the illicit trade were immobilised. In Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, soldiers intercepted two wooden boats, each loaded with eight sacks of stolen crude.
In Bayelsa State, a store in Bassambiri, Nembe LGA, was raided, leading to the recovery of 16 jerrycans containing stolen products. Additionally, an illegal refining site in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, holding 1,200 litres of stolen products was dismantled.
The Army vowed to sustain its crackdown on crude oil theft to protect Nigeria’s economic assets and preserve the environment.
