Army Arrests 62, Seizes 350,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Major Niger Delta Operation

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 62 suspected oil thieves and the confiscation of over 350,000 litres of stolen petroleum products during a coordinated operation across four states in the Niger Delta. According to the Army, the four-day operation is part of its ongoing crackdown on oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and related criminal activities in the region. Multiple illegal bunkering sites were dismantled, and critical supply chains were disrupted.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt by Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations. Danjuma revealed that the operation, carried out between July 14 and 20 in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the destruction of 14 illegal refining sites and the seizure of five boats used for transporting stolen fuel across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.

In Rivers State, troops dismantled six illegal refining sites around an abandoned wellhead in Joinkrama 4, Ahoada West LGA. These sites contained approximately 300,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 21,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additional seizures included generator sets, welding machines, and other tools. Similar operations in Obiafor and Elele Town led to the interception of several dug-out pits filled with stolen products, a Sienna vehicle loaded with sacks of AGO, and the discovery of illegal refining equipment such as ovens, drums, and hoses.

Elsewhere in Bayelsa and Delta States, the Army neutralized illegal refining camps, confiscated thousands of litres of stolen fuel, and arrested more suspects. In Bayelsa’s Biseni area, four refining sites and five ovens were destroyed. In Delta’s Sapele LGA, two suspects were caught with boats carrying 1,500 litres of illegal AGO. Meanwhile, troops in Akwa Ibom State maintained a strong security presence, effectively restricting the movement of criminal networks. Major General Emmanuel Emekah, GOC of the 6 Division, praised the troops for their efforts and urged them to maintain momentum in combating economic sabotage.