Oil theft: Troops arrest 29 suspects, recover 60,000 litres of stolen products

In a sustained crackdown on illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 24 illegal refining sites, neutralized 11 boats, and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Acting Deputy Director6 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said the operations, aimed at curbing illicit oil activities, were conducted across the region from February 3 to 9, 2025.

During clearance operations along the Imo River, troops dismantled six illegal refining sites, destroyed 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers, and immobilized two boats carrying over 18,000 litres of stolen products.

In Asa, Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA), a hidden reservoir containing over 1,000 litres of stolen products and 100 sacks holding more than 1,500 litres of stolen crude were uncovered.

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Additional raids were carried out in Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa, and Ukwa general areas.

Similarly, in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site with two large storage pots and receivers containing over 9,000 litres of stolen crude was discovered and dismantled.

At Ebocha Well 5, troops raided an active illegal refining site, seizing 28 empty locally made ovens, reservoirs containing 5,900 and 3,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and stolen crude, respectively.

Also recovered were 37 sacks filled with over 2,220 litres of illegally refined AGO, and one suspect was arrested at the scene.

In Akuku-Toru LGA, a refining site, a 200-meter hose, and a reservoir stocked with 1,500 litres of stolen products were neutralized.

Meanwhile, in Delta State, a tip-off led troops to Okpai Oluchi community in Ndokwa East LGA, where they seized 70 sacks of stolen products along SEEPCO Energy Company’s pipeline, amounting to over 2,800 litres of illicit petroleum.

Additionally, a suspected oil thief abandoned his vehicle—a Sienna bus with Lagos registration number APP 89 CV—at Emiye Street, Isoko South LGA.

The vehicle was found loaded with 15 sacks of illegally refined AGO.

In Bayelsa State, at the border of Joinkrama 4 in Yenagoa LGA and Okarki in Ahoada West LGA, troops dismantled two illegal refining sites.

Additionally, 2,500 litres of AGO packed in sacks were seized from the banks of the River Niger in Biseni, as well as in Akpedi community, Yenagoa LGA, and Akinima, Ahoada West LGA.

In Akwa Ibom State, troops continue to maintain dominance in operational areas, preventing criminal elements from engaging in illicit activities.