In a determined crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have significantly ramped up their operations, resulting in the detention of 28 individuals suspected of oil theft and the recovery of more than 290,000 litres of illicitly obtained petroleum products.
These coordinated efforts, carried out between October 6 and 19, 2025, alongside other security agencies, also led to the shutdown of four unauthorized oil refining facilities scattered across the region.
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Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations for the 6 Division, disclosed in a statement dated October 19, 2025, that the operations were primarily focused in Rivers State and yielded substantial results.
“In Okrika Local Government Area, two wooden boats were intercepted while transferring Premium Motor Spirit from a vessel docked at a jetty,” he explained.
“Furthermore, two additional boats were seized in Okrika; one was carrying over 33,000 litres of stolen fuel at a jetty, while another contained more than 5,000 litres of illicit products,” he added.
Following a tip-off about illegal oil bunkering near Sterling Global Company Road, Akpabo, in Elele Alimini, Emohua LGA, troops acted swiftly to seize a tanker bearing the registration number Rivers JJN 287 ZU, which was suspected of transporting approximately 90,000 litres of stolen fuel from the pipeline right of way. The driver and his assistant were apprehended.
At Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, over 2,600 litres of unlawfully refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered. Along the Imo River, two illicit refining sites were dismantled, with troops confiscating three drum pots, three receivers, and upwards of 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil near Obuzor, Asa Asa in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State.
Additionally, at the Orashi River waterfront, two wooden boats were intercepted carrying more than 700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, leading to the arrest of six suspects linked to these seizures.
In Delta State, troops responded to credible intelligence regarding oil theft activities along the PAN Ocean Pipeline right of way in Ethiope East LGA. Although the perpetrators fled upon sighting the soldiers, one suspect was captured, and several items were recovered, including vandalized pipes, hoses, numerous Bagco sacks, leather materials, a Peugeot 406, a Camry, a Toyota Jeep, and a lorry loaded with over 1,650 litres of stolen fuel.
During pipeline patrols along the Midwestern Oil and Gas Pipeline right of way at Umusan-Obodogwa in Ndokwa West LGA, a Mercedes-Benz truck with registration Enugu VE 174 ENU was intercepted carrying 24 pieces of 14-inch pipes and three gas cylinders. Two individuals were detained, with the pipes suspected to have been stolen from the SEPCO Oil and Gas pipeline at Kwale.
Moreover, near Eruemukohwarien in Ughelli North LGA, a Toyota Hiace bus (registration Delta PTN 926 XA) was stopped while transporting ten drums containing 2,500 litres of condensates; the driver was arrested.
Operations in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States have also intensified, with troops employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to dominate the operational environment and restrict the activities of criminal networks, according to Danjuma.
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, has praised the troops for their achievements and urged them to maintain the momentum in combating economic sabotage and related offenses throughout the Niger Delta.