Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have ramped up their campaign against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling seven illegal refining sites, arresting four suspected oil thieves, and recovering over 109,000 liters of stolen petroleum products valued at approximately ₦150 million. These coordinated operations, spanning November 10 to 23, 2025, underscore the military’s relentless push to dismantle economic sabotage networks threatening Nigeria’s vital oil sector.
The 6 Division, headquartered in Port Harcourt, collaborated with other security agencies to execute raids across key hotspots in Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States. The seized products include over 88,000 liters of crude oil and 21,355 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), preventing significant revenue losses and mitigating environmental damage from unchecked bunkering activities.
Key Highlights of the Operations
- Rivers State Focus: In Okolomade, Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA), troops deactivated three illegal refining sites, recovering three large pots, four receivers, and three coolants, along with over 40,000 liters of stolen crude and 20,000 liters of AGO. Additional discoveries along the Imo River fringes in Oyigbo LGA uncovered three more sites, eight drum pots, seven drum receivers, one fiber boat, and over 14,700 liters of crude around Asa, Obeakpo, Lekuma, and Abiama communities.
- Akwa Ibom State Raid: A suspected storage facility at Ikot Akpan, Ekparakwa in Abak LGA was stormed, yielding 520 liters of illegally refined AGO in a drum and ten jerricans, plus several empty containers.
- Delta State Interception: At the DAEWOO yard in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA, suspected thieves fled into nearby creeks upon sighting troops, abandoning wooden boats loaded with jerricans. The operation recovered three 25-liter jerricans containing 75 liters of crude oil.
- Bayelsa State Sustainment: Troops maintained pressure on criminal networks in the waterways, denying oil thieves operational freedom without specific recoveries detailed in this phase.
All arrested suspects and confiscated items have been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution, in line with established protocols.
Official Reactions and Broader Context
Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to “sustain the tempo in ensuring that economic saboteurs are effectively denied freedom of action in the Niger Delta.” He also called on residents to provide credible intelligence to bolster these efforts, emphasizing community partnership in securing the region’s resources.
This latest success builds on prior operations, such as the dismantling of 14 illegal sites and arrest of 14 suspects between October 20 and November 9, 2025, which recovered over 20,000 liters of products. Oil theft remains a persistent challenge, costing Nigeria billions annually in lost revenue and exacerbating ecological degradation in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The 6 Division’s intensified patrols and intelligence-driven raids reflect a multi-agency strategy to protect critical infrastructure and restore investor confidence.
As the federal government pushes for increased oil production targets, these operations highlight the military’s pivotal role in curbing sabotage. For more on ongoing anti-theft measures, visit the Nigerian Army’s official channels.
