The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, said its operatives have arrested 71 suspected oil thieves and deactivated 14 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.
Also, it said troops confiscated over 33,000 litres of stolen products during an operation that lasted three weeks.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Monday.
Danjuma said the feat was achieved with the support of other security agencies.
The statement partly reads, “The determination by troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army to stamp out oil theft and associated criminalities in the Niger Delta Region has been yielding positive results.
“Several operations conducted between 21 July to 10 August 2025, troops in conjunction with other security agencies have sustained the trajectory against criminals in the region.
“These resulted in the deactivation of 14 illegal refining sites, the arrest of over 71 criminals with over 33,000 litres of stolen products confiscated across the region.
“In Rivers State, along Km 45 in Degema Local Government Area , two illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 22,500 litres of stolen crude oil recovered.
“Additionally, two wooden boats used for the illicit activity were demobilised.”
In a related vein, Danjuma said at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, two wooden boats loaded with eight sacks of stolen crude were intercepted.
“Similar operations conducted at the fringes of the Imo River led to the deactivation of five illegal refining sites, with 16 drum pots, two drum receivers and over 2,000 litres of stolen crude recovered at Obuzor, Okoloma and Oyingbo LGA in Abia and Rivers states, respectively.
“Also, a dug-out pit filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen products was handled appropriately,” it read.
The statement continued, “Relatedly, in Bayelsa State, around Bassambiri in Nembe LGA, troops raided a store, where 16 units of 30-litre jerricans loaded with stolen products hidden in the store.
“At Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, troops uncovered an illegal refining site with over 1,200 litres of stolen products recovered.
“This was in addition to several raid operations conducted with other sister services in the state, which led to the arrest of multiple criminals.
“While, in Delta State, a vehicle with Registration Number AG 02 KWR loaded with 31 units of 25-litre jerricans filled with stolen Automotive Gasoline Oil was intercepted at Omuseti junction along Kwale to Ozoro road in Ndokwa West LGA.”
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, while appreciating informants for their support, said that when illegal products are discovered, due diligence is taken to verify the authenticity of the product or otherwise.
Emekah, however, said where the product is discovered to be genuine it is usually handed over to the owner in line with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe.
The GOC further stressed that perpetrators of economic sabotage arrested by the troops are handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution.
