Army Arrests 28 Suspected Oil Thieves, Seizes 290,000 Litres of Stolen Products in Niger Delta

Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and dismantled four illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta.

The operations, conducted between October 6 and 19, 2025, led to the recovery of more than 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

According to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the raids were part of ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and protect national assets in the region.

In Rivers State, troops intercepted two wooden boats in Okrika while they were loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vessel at a jetty. Another two boats were seized, one containing 33,000 litres and another 5,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Lt.-Col. Danjuma said the Nigerian Army remains committed to eliminating illegal refining activities and safeguarding the nation’s oil infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice through peaceful and intellectual means rather than militancy.

Speaking during the inauguration of the INC Eastern Zone Executives in Port Harcourt, the group’s National President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, declared that the Ijaw nation would no longer resort to violence in addressing issues of marginalisation.

He described the era of armed agitation as over, stressing that the Ijaw struggle for equity and control of their resources would now be driven by dialogue, advocacy, and intellectual engagement.

Okaba added that the INC, as a liberation movement, would continue to speak out against oppression and ensure that the rights and interests of the Ijaw people are protected.

He noted that the national executive of the INC is currently strategising new approaches to address the long-standing marginalisation of the Ijaw in the Niger Delta region.