Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves, uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites as well as recovered over 161,000 litres of stolen products across the Niger Delta Region (NDR), in the latest crackdown.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, in a statement issued Sunday said the operations were conducted in synergy with other security agencies between 26 May – 8 June 2025.
He noted that in Bayelsa State, along Zarama-Joinkrama 4, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 connected to an illegal refining site.
Danjuma explained that in a follow -up operation conducted, five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
He added: “While, at Biseni Community, Adibawa in Yenagoa LGA, two illegal connection points connected to the pipeline, linked to an illegal refining site were discovered.
“Additionally, 19 big pots, 18 drum pots, 36 drum receivers, 19 drum coolants, a pumping, 6 metallic drum receiver stocked with over 4,000 litres of Illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) and over 27,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 460 sacks were handled.”
Danjuma stressed that operations conducted at Luka Creek, around Lagosgbene in Southern Ijaw LGA, led to the discovery of an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen products confiscated.
He said at Tamogbene in Ekeremor LGA, 71 big pipes, 30 small pipes, concealed under logs of woods, one 40HP engine and a wooden boat were recovered.
Danjuma revealed that two suspected vandals conveying the items in a boat absconded on sighting troops.
He noted: “While, in Rivers State, a fibre boat, one wooden boat and a large wooden barge filled with over 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were intercepted by the troops.
“In addition, 8 suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection to the crime. Around Dorger Land Community in Okrika LGA, a wooden boat laden with 18,980 litres of PMS was intercepted, with three suspected oil thieves apprehended.
“Other seizures were made at Okarki Forest, Banana Creek in Ahoada West and Degema LGAs respectively.
“Along Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA, an illegal refining site was uncovered with two cooking ovens, drums and receivers as well as over 3,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.”
Danjuma further revealed that the troops also intercepted a truck at Oyingbo with Registration Number SML 204 VJ, loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks.