Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 39 suspected oil thieves and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in a sustained crackdown against crude oil theft (COT) and related crimes in the Niger Delta region.
According to the Army, the operation, conducted from March 24 to 30, 2025, across the Joint Operations Area (JOA) in collaboration with sister agencies, led to the confiscation of over 60,000 litres of stolen products and the recovery of various items.
Oil Theft Crackdown: Nigerian Army Dismantles Illegal Refineries Across Niger Delta
In Rivers State, troops intercepted an inbuilt fabricated twin tank stocked with 18,000 litres of stolen products along Ochokocho Road in Etche Local Government Area (LGA). Additionally, a MAN Diesel container truck (Reg: LXA 44 XA), which had been concealed with sawdust and carrying an unquantified quantity of stolen products, was seized after suspects fled upon sighting the troops.
Further anti-COT operations in the Imo River area resulted in the destruction of multiple illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers, with over 15,000 litres of stolen products recovered. In Rumuekpe Forest, Ahoada East LGA, troops also confiscated two illegal refining sites containing more than 2,800 litres of stolen products.
Operations in Ebocha and Omoku, located in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, led to further seizures, while in Jelikri Creek, Degema LGA, troops dismantled several illegal refining sites and destroyed drum ovens, receivers, hoses, and metal pipes used for illicit activities.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, the operation yielded significant results. At Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, troops uncovered two illegal refining sites containing drums and cooking ovens filled with over 8,000 litres of stolen crude stored in drums and sacks. Another illegal refining site was uncovered at Okighene in Southern Ijaw LGA, where 1,500 litres of crude oil and 300 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were confiscated.
In Delta State, troops sustained their crackdown, making major seizures in Egbokodo Itsekiri Community, Warri South LGA, where jerricans filled with illegally refined AGO were confiscated. Several cellophane bags used for oil theft operations were also destroyed.
Operations in Akwa Ibom State have effectively denied criminals freedom of action, with troops maintaining dominance over the operational landscape.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to intensify the crackdown against oil thieves. “Sustain the enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive seamlessly,” he charged.
He also issued a stern warning to oil thieves, stating, “They must turn a new leaf and engage in legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the wrath of the law.”
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