BREAKING: Troops Confiscate Over 60,000 Liters Of Stolen Crude Oil Products, Arrest 39 Suspects In N’Delta
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in a major crackdown on oil thieves in the Niger Delta region, have confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products and arrested 39 suspects.
The operations, which took place from March 24 to 30, 2025, were part of an ongoing effort to curb Crude Oil Theft (COT) and associated crimes in the region.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, the troops worked in conjunction with sister agencies to carry out the operations across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
Lt Col Danjuma noted that in Rivers State, troops intercepted an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area.
He further Stated that a MAN Diesel container body truck conveying unquantified stolen products was intercepted, but the suspects fled on sighting troops.
Other notable seizures were made in Bayelsa State, where troops discovered two illegal refining sites containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude.
In Delta State, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and destroyed several cellophane bags used for the criminal activity.
He said: “Relatedly, along the Imo River, the anti COT operations progressed with several illegal refining sites, drum pots and receivers taken out, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. While around Rumuekpe Forest in Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites with over 2,800 litres of stolen products confiscated. Other seizures were made around Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. Troops also closed up on oil thieves at Jelikri Creek in Degema LGA, with several illegal refining sites dismantled, drum ovens, receivers, hoses, metal pipes destroyed.
“In Bayelsa State, operations conducted yielded the desired outcome.
“This was evident around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, where two illegal refining sites, containing drums and cooking ovens with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks. At Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, one illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) recovered.
“In Delta State, the operations are progressing with visible footprints. At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, troops confiscated several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO and destroyed several cellophanes bags used for the criminality. While in Akwa Ibom State, troops have dominated the operations landscape making it impossible for the criminals to have freedom of action.”
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has commended the troops for their efforts and charged them to upscale the crackdown against oil thieves.
Maj Gen Emekah warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or face the wrath of the law.
He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to work tirelessly to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and resources.
