The ongoing crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta has achieved significant success, with security forces dismantling 31 illegal refining sites, arresting 29 suspected oil thieves, and disabling 26 boats used for illicit activities.
These operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies between 3rd and 9th February 2025, also led to the recovery of over 212,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products across several states.
In Rivers State, a major operation in Ogbonga Forest, Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA), resulted in the deactivation of 10 illegal refining sites.
Troops seized 15 cooking pots, a heavy-duty generator, and two large reservoirs containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
Additionally, three tanks filled with more than 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200-metre-long hose used for siphoning crude were recovered.
These items were concealed under dense forest cover to avoid detection by aerial surveillance.
Along Oloma in Bonny Island LGA, three suspected oil thieves were apprehended with a wooden boat carrying over 10,000 litres of stolen crude. In Karakarma, four illegal refining sites and four boats were destroyed, with 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
Further operations in Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo, Obio Akpor LGA, uncovered four GP tanks containing 9,500 litres of stolen crude, disguised as a bakery.
Similar raids in Bille and Kumbufari Creeks, Degema LGA, led to the destruction of multiple illegal refining sites and the seizure of over 9,000 litres of stolen products.
At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), security forces dismantled an active refining site, seizing a large metal oven drum, hoses, and a reservoir holding 6,000 litres of stolen products.
Additional seizures were made in Omoku (ONELGA), Joinkrama 4 (Ahoada West LGA), and Karakarma Community in Degema LGA.
In Delta State, security operatives intercepted a truck transporting over 35,000 litres of suspected stolen crude.
At Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illegal refining were destroyed, and 4,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Raids in Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South LGA, uncovered three active illegal refining sites, multiple storage facilities, and over 3,000 litres of stolen crude.
Further seizures were made in Ogbe-Ijoh Market, Ughoton, and Alele communities.
In Bayelsa State, troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves but overpowered them, forcing the criminals to flee.
Follow-up operations led to the recovery of over 12,000 litres of stolen crude and 9,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Other items seized included seven wheelbarrows and a motorcycle.
In Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were dismantled, along with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses, and dugout pits containing 5,800 litres of stolen crude and 200 litres of AGO.
Along Biseni-Samabiri Road, a Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks was recovered.
Troops also seized over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO hidden in two residential buildings after the occupants fled upon spotting security forces.
In Akwa Ibom, security forces intercepted over 5,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 20 jerricans, each containing 280 litres, at Oron LGA.
The products were suspected to be destined for smuggling to a neighbouring country via the waterways.
Commending the troops for their achievements, the General Officer Commanding, 6th Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, urged them to maintain the pressure on oil thieves.
He also warned economic saboteurs to abandon illegal activities and pursue lawful means of livelihood or face the full force of the law.
