The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of operations across the Niger Delta region.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operations were part of renewed efforts to combat crude oil theft and related crimes.
According to the statement, the coordinated raids, conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025, resulted in the deactivation of four illegal refining sites and the interception of several boats and vehicles used for transporting stolen products in Rivers, Delta, Abia, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted two wooden boats at Okrika while they were loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel at a jetty. Another boat carrying about 33,000 litres of stolen products was also seized, while a tanker suspected of containing 90,000 litres of stolen fuel was impounded at Elele Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
At Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, troops recovered over 2,600 litres of illegally refined diesel, while in Abia State, two illegal refining sites along the Imo River were dismantled, and over 2,500 litres of stolen crude were seized. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the operation.
In Delta State, troops acting on credible intelligence disrupted oil theft along the PAN Ocean pipeline in Ethiope East LGA, recovering vandalized pipes, hoses, and vehicles. One suspect was apprehended, and about 1,650 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Further operations along the Midwestern Oil and Gas pipeline at Umusan-Obodogwa in Ndokwa West LGA led to the arrest of two more suspects and the seizure of a truck loaded with 24 vandalized pipes and three gas cylinders. A Toyota Hiace bus conveying 2,500 litres of condensate was also intercepted in Ughelli North LGA.
The Army added that troops have intensified both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, significantly reducing oil theft and improving security in the region.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to maintain the momentum in ongoing operations against economic saboteurs.