Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — In a significant blow to oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have successfully dismantled 22 illegal refining sites, arrested 19 suspects and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a sustained multi‑state operation. The crackdown — conducted in close collaboration with other security agencies — underscores ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and stem losses from crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, the operations took place between November 23 and December 28, 2025, across key oil‑producing states including Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom. Over the course of these missions, soldiers identified and dismantled illegal refining hubs — frequently hidden deep in creeks, forests and riverside communities — that had been used to process stolen crude oil and refined products.
The recovered petroleum products — valued at an estimated more than ₦150 million — consisted predominantly of crude oil and illegally refined derivatives. Many of the recoveries occurred at sites with large storage reservoirs, including a major cache in Siebu Creek, Bayelsa State, where troops deactivated an illegal refinery holding over 75,000 litres of stolen crude. Other sites yielded thousands of litres of crude in sacks and containers, often buried or concealed near waterways and forested areas.
In addition to the crude recoveries, troops also intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway that was found discharging about 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products into an underground pit. Military patrols uncovered further caches and equipment used in bunkering activities, including hoses, pumping machinery and storage containers — underscoring the breadth of illegal operations targeting Nigeria’s oil resources.
The 19 individuals apprehended are suspected to be directly involved in oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism. Their arrests came as part of coordinated raids based on credible intelligence, and they are currently in custody pending further investigation and prosecution. Military officials have emphasised that the suspects’ capture and the destruction of the refining sites represent a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks that undermine the country’s economy and energy security.
Major‑General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, commended the troops for their work and encouraged continued support from local communities, civil authorities and security partners in the Niger Delta. He said that maintaining pressure on oil thieves and economic saboteurs is essential to protecting national assets and supporting sustainable development in the region.
The crackdown forms part of a wider government and security strategy to tackle longstanding challenges posed by illegal refining and crude oil theft — activities that have deprived Nigeria of billions of naira in revenue over the years. Analysts note that by targeting both the infrastructure and syndicates responsible, such operations could help reduce environmental degradation, improve legal oil production yields, and enhance investor confidence in the country’s oil sector.
Despite the successes, security officials maintain that the fight against oil theft and related crimes remains ongoing. They have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, offering assurances that continued collaboration between communities and security forces will be central to mitigating oil theft and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
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