Operatives of the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, have arrested 29 suspected oil thieves in their continued crackdown on oil theft and illegal refining of petroleum products in the Niger Delta region. The Division said the success was achieved in synergy with other sister security agencies, adding that 24 illegal refining sites were deactivated. The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, further said eleven boats were demobilized while 60,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Danjuma said “in the latest crackdown against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, working in synergy with other security agencies have successfully apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 24 illegal refining sites, demobilized eleven boats and recovered over 60,000 litres of stolen products. The operations were conducted across the NDR from 3 – 9 February 2025. In a clearance operations conducted by troops, along the Imo River, 6 illegal refining sites were deactivated, 113 drum pots and 83 drum receivers were destroyed.
“This was in addition to two boats demobilized with over 18,000 litres of stolen products recovered. Also, around Asa in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered a reservoir with over 1,000 litres of stolen products as well as 100 sacks filled with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude. The operations were conducted at different times around Okoloma, Obuzor, Lekuma, Abiama, Asa and Ukwa general areas. Similarly, in Buguma general area, in Asari-Toru LGA, one illegal refining site, with two big pots as well as two receivers, with one stocked with over 9,000 litres of stolen crude were handled appropriately.”
Army arrests 29 suspected crude oil thieves, recover 60,000 litres of stolen crude
