The ongoing anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) have recorded significant progress. Between 19 and 25 May 2025, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, arrested 20 suspected oil thieves, and recovered over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, disclosed that troops uncovered several illegal refining activities in Rivers State. Operations conducted around Okolomade, Orashi, and Ozochi Forests in Abua/Odual Local Government Area led to the discovery of eight cooking ovens and massive storage tanks containing over 300,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil, seven reservoirs, six receivers, and a generator.
At the fringes of the Imo River, nine illegal refining sites were deactivated, with troops recovering 23 drum pots, 10 drum receivers, 321 sacks, and over 16,000 litres of stolen products.
In Ndoni, Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, troops recovered 245 sacks filled with 12,500 litres of illegally refined AGO. In Bonny LGA, one suspected oil thief was arrested around Ogbonga Forest with a fibre boat, 400-meter hose stained with crude oil, four spanners, and a mobile phone.
In Delta State, illegal refining sites were uncovered in Jeddo (Okpe LGA) and Ogbu Aladja (Warri South LGA), where troops recovered over 1,000 litres of products stored in polythene bags and several sacks filled with unquantified AGO.
In Bayelsa State, troops dismantled an illegal refining site at Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, where four cooking ovens, drums, receivers, and various stolen products were seized and destroyed. In Akwa Ibom State, troops maintained a firm grip over land, waterways, and creeks, effectively denying oil thieves the freedom to operate.
The arrested suspects have been handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution, while recovered products were treated according to operational protocols.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to intensify the crackdown on illegal refining activities to enable legitimate economic activities to flourish in the region.