By Atoyebi Nike
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, dismantled 22 illegal refining and bunkering hubs, and recovered more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at over ₦150 million across the Niger Delta.
Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Jonah Danjuma, said the operations, conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025, were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related economic crimes.
The raids disrupted criminal networks in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States. In Bayelsa, troops destroyed illegal refining sites in Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa, and Ogbia, recovering tens of thousands of litres of stolen crude and refined products. Rivers State saw multiple refineries destroyed in Eleme, Ahoada West, and Abua/Odual, with attempts to vandalize pipelines in Bonny Island foiled.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway carrying 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products, with further seizures in Sapele and Ughelli South. In Akwa Ibom, a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil was uncovered in Abak Local Government Area.
Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops and urged residents of the Niger Delta to support security agencies in safeguarding critical national assets.
