The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and seized over 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products across the Niger Delta region.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement.
He said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the fight against crude oil theft and related crimes in the region.
According to the statement, the coordinated operations conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025, led to the deactivation of four illegal refining sites and the interception of several boats and vehicles used for transporting stolen products in Rivers, Delta, Abia, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.
In Rivers State, troops intercepted two wooden boats at Okrika while they were loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel at a jetty.
Another boat loaded with over 33,000 litres of stolen products was also seized. Similarly, a tanker suspected to have been loaded with about 90,000 litres of stolen products was impounded at Elele Alimini in Emohua Local Government Area, while two suspects were arrested.
At Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, troops recovered over 2,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), while along Imo River in Abia State, two illegal refining sites were dismantled with over 2,500 litres of stolen crude seized. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the discoveries.
In Delta State, troops acting on credible intelligence, disrupted oil theft activities along the PAN Ocean pipeline in Ethiope East LGA, recovering vandalized pipes, hoses, and vehicles used by the suspects. One suspect was arrested, and over 1,650 litres of stolen products were recovered.
Further operations along the Midwestern Oil and Gas pipeline at Umusan-Obodogwa in Ndokwa West LGA led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a truck loaded with 24 pieces of vandalized pipes and three gas cylinders. In Ughelli North LGA, a Toyota Hiace bus conveying 2,500 litres of condensate was also intercepted.
The statement added that troops have intensified both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, effectively curbing the activities of oil thieves and restoring security in the region.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their achievements and urged them to sustain the momentum in their ongoing operations against economic saboteurs.