Crackdown on oil bunkering: Army nets suspects, dismantles refineries

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested at least 28 suspected oil thieves and destroyed four illegal refineries during a series of coordinated operations in the Niger Delta region.

Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday night in Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the operations were carried out between 6 and 19 October 2025, targeting known criminal hideouts and illegal refining camps across several states.

“Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, have been consolidating efforts in the ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta region,” the statement read.

Over 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered during the raids, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and condensates.

Key Seizures and Arrests:

In Okrika LGA, Rivers State, two wooden boats were intercepted — one loaded with over 33,000 litres of PMS, another with 5,000 litres.

In Emohua LGA, troops intercepted a tanker allegedly carrying 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum. Two suspects were arrested.

At Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, 2,600 litres of illegally refined AGO were recovered.

In Abia State, two illegal refineries along the Imo River axis were dismantled, with three drum pots, three receivers, and 2,500 litres of stolen crude recovered.

Six suspects were arrested in Orashi River waterside, where over 700 litres of DPK were seized from two wooden boats.

In Delta State, troops disrupted oil theft along the PAN Ocean Pipeline in Ethiope East LGA. A Peugeot 406, a Toyota Jeep, and a lorry loaded with 1,650 litres of stolen products were recovered.

In Ndokwa West LGA, a Mercedes-Benz truck loaded with 14-inch pipes and three gas cylinders was intercepted; two suspects were arrested.

Near Ughelli North LGA, a Toyota Hiace bus carrying 2,500 litres of condensates was seized and the driver arrested.

Lt. Col. Danjuma also noted increased efforts in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, combining both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to restrict the activities of criminal networks.

The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their commitment and urged them to sustain the momentum in combating oil theft and economic sabotage in the region.