Nigerian Army Cracks Down on Oil Thieves: 29 Arrested, 212,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel Recovered
Illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta region, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has achieved significant operational successes between March 3 and 9, 2025. The operations led to the arrest of 29 individuals suspected of oil theft and the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Rivers State, troops dismantled 10 illegal refining sites concealed within the Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area. The operation resulted in the destruction of 15 cooking pots and the seizure of two large reservoirs containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Additionally, a heavy-duty generator and three tanks filled with more than 10,000 litres of illicit products were recovered. A 200-meter-long hose used for siphoning crude oil was also confiscated. The strategic concealment of these facilities under dense forest cover rendered them less detectable to aerial surveillance.
In the Oloma area of Bonny Island, troops intercepted three suspects navigating a wooden boat laden with over 10,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. At Karakarma, four illegal refining sites and four boats were destroyed, leading to the recovery of approximately 9,600 litres of stolen crude oil. Further operations in the Rumuokwurusi–Elelenwo axis of Obio Akpor Local Government Area uncovered four GP tanks disguised as a bakery, containing over 9,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
In Delta State, a truck transporting over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products was intercepted. Additionally, at Opumami in Warri South Local Government Area, five wooden boats used for illegal activities were seized, containing 4,000 litres of stolen products. Three active illegal refining sites with over 3,000 litres of stolen products were also shut down at Obodo Omadino Community.
In Bayelsa State, troops encountered resistance from suspected oil thieves but successfully recovered over 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO). At Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, four illegal refining sites were dismantled, leading to the seizure of 18 metal oven tanks and other equipment, along with over 5,800 litres of stolen crude oil and 200 litres of AGO. Along the Biseni–Samabiri road, a Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks was recovered. Additionally, more than 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered from two residential buildings whose occupants fled upon sighting the troops.
In Akwa Ibom, security forces intercepted over 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), suspected to be destined for smuggling across the waterways to a neighboring country.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their unwavering commitment and operational success. He urged them to maintain pressure on economic saboteurs and warned individuals involved in illegal oil activities to embrace lawful means of livelihood or face the full weight of the law.
These operations underscore the Nigerian Army’s dedication to eradicating oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta, thereby safeguarding the nation’s critical economic resources.