Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites as part of an ongoing crackdown against crude oil theft (COT) and related crimes in the Niger Delta region.
According to the Army, the operation, which took place between March 24 and March 30, 2025, across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) in collaboration with sister agencies, resulted in the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the recovery of various items used in illicit refining.
A statement released by the Army detailed the successes of the operation:
“The operations conducted in Rivers State, along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), led to the interception of an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products. Additionally, a MAN Diesel container body truck with Reg LXA 44 XA, concealed with bags of sawdust and conveying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was intercepted. The suspects fled on sighting troops.”
The statement further disclosed that in the Imo River area, anti-crude oil theft operations led to the destruction of several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. In Rumuekpe Forest, Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites containing over 2,800 litres of stolen products were seized.
Similarly, troops in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA closed in on oil thieves in Ebocha and Omoku, dismantling illegal refining sites in Jelikri Creek, Degema LGA, where drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes were destroyed.
The crackdown extended to Bayelsa State, where operations around Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA led to the discovery of two illegal refining sites. These sites contained drums and cooking ovens, with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude stored in sacks and drums. In Okighene, Southern Ijaw LGA, troops recovered 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).
The Nigerian Army also made notable advances in Delta State. At Egbokodo Itsekiri Community in Warri South LGA, several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO were confiscated, and cellophane bags used for transporting stolen crude were destroyed.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Army reported intensified patrols and operations, making it increasingly difficult for oil thieves to operate freely.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to sustain the crackdown on illegal refining activities.
It was reported that Emekah warned oil thieves to turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating crude oil theft and ensuring a secure environment for legitimate exploration activities in the Niger Delta.
