Troops nab 19 oil thieves, dismantle 22 illegal bunkering sites in Rivers, Bayelsa

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigerian Army said its troops had in recent operations across Rivers and Bayelsa States apprehended 19 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 22 illegal refining hubs destroyed, and sized over over 180,000 litres of stolen products, worth over N150 million.

Troops achieved the feat working with other security operatives in operation between 23 November and 28 December 2025, targeting oil theft, pipeline vandalism and associated crimes in the Niger Delta Region of the country, according to a statement by the 6 Division of Nigerian Army.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, the statement indicated that at Siebu Creek within Ogbienbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, the troops deactivated an illegal refining site with a massive reservoir filled with over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil and recovered a pumping machine.

Also, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State, the troops conducted multiple operations, which led to the deactivation of several illegal refining sites, with a cumulative recovery of over 17,000 litres of stolen products.

Also in Bayelsa, the troops at Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA intercepted a big Cotonou boat concealed at the riverbank, loaded with 37 sacks filled with 2,775 litres of stolen crude.

At Ogale Community in Eleme LGA of Rivers State, the troops discovered 350 sacks filled with over 10,500 litres of stolen crude.

In the same vein, around Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites, with sacks and a reservoir filled with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.

A similar operation was conducted at Orashi Forest in Abua/Odual LGA, where troops traced a long hose which spanned over 9 kilometres, leading to four illegal refining sites, comprising four large ovens with a capacity of 30,000 litres each, receivers and dugout pits stocked with over 7,000 litres of crude oil. In addition, a pumping machine with five large reservoirs were destroyed.

In Okolomade, also in Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers the troops confiscated 31 sacks filled with 2,325 litres of stolen crude, concealed in the bush along the Okomade–Otuasega Road were confiscated.

“Troops also received credible information on a daring attempt by suspected oil thieves to compromise a pipeline around Gbonga Forest in Bonny Island LGA. Troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and made huge recoveries, including a rubber hose, one shovel, one manifold valve head, four bags of waterproof nylon, one 9.9 HP Yamaha engine and four units of 25-litre jerricans. Seizures were also made around Okrika LGA, Omerelu in Ikwerre LGA, as well as OML 18 Alakiri, with a cumulative recovery of over 6,000 litres of condensates”,
the statement concluded.