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.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, disclosed this in a statement that the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 60,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operation, which took place between March 24 and March 30, 2025, was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.
Along Ochokocho Road in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops stopped a specially constructed twin tank that was carrying 18,000 liters of stolen crude.
A MAN Diesel container truck registered LXA 44 XA was intercepted while attempting to import petroleum products that had been stolen and concealed in sawdust sacks. When the suspects saw the security personnel, they left the truck and ran away.
In Rumuekpe Forest, Ahoada East LGA, two illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 2,800 litres of stolen crude oil were seized.
Similar raids were conducted in Ebocha, Omoku (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA), and Jelikri Creek in the Degema Local Government Area, where illegal refining sites, drum ovens, hoses, and metal pipes were destroyed.
In Bayelsa State, troops made significant strides, particularly in Yenagoa LGA, where two illegal refining sites containing over 8,000 litres of stolen crude in drums and sacks were dismantled. In Southern Ijaw LGA, another illegal operation was uncovered, with 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) seized.
In Delta State, the operation continued in the Egbokodo Itsekiri community, Warri South LGA, where several jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO were confiscated, and storage materials used for illegal activities were destroyed.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, security forces maintained control of the operational landscape, preventing criminal activities.
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the division, emphasized the army’s commitment to combating crude oil theft. He warned, “Our troops will continue to track down oil thieves and protect Nigeria’s resources. Anyone involved in illegal refining must cease or face the full consequences of the law.”
The Nigerian Army has called on residents to report any suspicious activities as security forces intensify their efforts to combat oil theft and related crimes in the Niger Delta.
