Nigerian Army Arrests 71 Suspected Oil Thieves, Seizes Over 33,000 Litres of Stolen Products

By Babatunji Wusu

• 14 illegal refining sites dismantled across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Abia States
• Over 33,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products recovered
• 71 suspects arrested and handed over for prosecution

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have arrested 71 suspected oil thieves and confiscated more than 33,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of coordinated operations across the Niger Delta between July 21 and August 10, 2025. The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the dismantling of 14 illegal refining sites.

Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed in a statement from Port Harcourt that in Rivers State, along Kilometre 45 in Degema LGA, troops deactivated two illegal refining sites, recovering over 22,500 litres of stolen crude oil and neutralizing two wooden boats used in the illicit trade. Additional seizures were made in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, where boats laden with stolen crude were intercepted.

In Abia and Rivers States, raids along the Imo River corridor led to the destruction of five refining sites, the seizure of over 2,000 litres of stolen crude, and the discovery of a dug-out pit containing 1,500 litres of illicit products. Bayelsa operations saw troops uncovering hidden stores of stolen fuel in Nembe and Yenagoa LGAs, while in Delta State, security operatives intercepted a vehicle carrying 31 jerrycans of stolen Automotive Gas Oil.

Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended community informants for their cooperation, noting that all recovered products undergo verification, and genuine consignments are returned to rightful owners. He assured that all arrested suspects would be handed over to appropriate agencies for prosecution in line with Operation DELTA SAFE’s mandate.