Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working alongside other security agencies, have stepped up operations against crude oil theft across the Niger Delta, arresting nine suspects and shutting down several illegal refining sites during operations conducted between 1 and 26 April 2026.
The operations also led to the recovery of more than 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and over 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), alongside the destruction of equipment used for illegal refining.
Army recovers over N250m worth of products
In Rivers State, a series of intelligence-driven operations accounted for some of the major recoveries.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
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He stated that troops intercepted an abandoned truck along the East-West Road in Ukpeye Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The vehicle, bearing registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano, was found to be carrying stolen petroleum products.
“In a swift response to credible intelligence, troops intercepted an abandoned truck with registration number KMC 310 ZV Kano at Ukpeye Community.
“The truck was discovered to have been loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen products,” the statement said.
Further raid at the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area uncovered a large storage site containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Troops also discovered another illegal facility stocked with more than 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, with associated equipment such as galvanized pipes used for siphoning the products destroyed on site.
At Ebocha in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, soldiers confiscated 266 sacks containing approximately 17,760 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In another operation at Abessa Forest in Ahoada West, four drum ovens and 50 sacks holding over 3,000 litres of crude oil were discovered and destroyed, alongside two waste pits used for refining activities.
In Abua/Odual Local Government Area, around Okolomade, troops recovered 30 sacks containing over 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
Similar operations were carried out outside Rivers State. In Delta State, troops uncovered a tapping point at Obazogbe Community in Ethiope Local Government Area, where a nearby dugout storage pit contained more than 2,700 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In Akwa Ibom State, at Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, 45 bags of illegally refined AGO estimated at about 1,350 litres were recovered after suspects fled the scene.
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The Army also confirmed that operations remain sustained in Bayelsa State, where troops have continued to deny oil thieves freedom of action.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their performance and urged them to maintain operational pressure on criminal networks.
He stated: “I commend the troops for their resilience,” and further charged them to “sustain the operational tempo against economic saboteurs and associated crimes across the Niger Delta Region.”
Army recovers over N250m worth of products
Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working alongside other security agencies, have stepped up operations against crude oil theft across the Niger Delta, arresting nine suspects and shutting down several illegal refining sites during operations conducted between 1 and 26 April 2026.
The operations also led to the recovery of more than 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and over 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), alongside the destruction of equipment used for illegal refining.