Army Cracks Down on Oil Theft, Seizes ₦150m Worth of Stolen Fuel in Niger Delta
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has recorded major gains in its fight against oil theft in the Niger Delta arresting 19 suspected oil thieves, shutting down 22 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products worth about ₦150 million.
The success followed a coordinated operation that lasted nearly one month and covered parts of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
The exercise was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and focused on oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related crimes.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, said the operations were conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025.
He noted that the sustained military presence disrupted criminal networks and limited the movement of oil thieves across the region.
According to him, troops uncovered large volumes of stolen crude and refined products from creeks, forests, boats, warehouses and vehicles while several illegal refining hubs, reservoirs and equipment were destroyed.
Suspects were also arrested during interceptions along waterways, highways and oil-producing communities.
Danjuma added that the Army would maintain pressure on criminal elements in the Niger Delta, stressing that troops would continue to protect critical oil infrastructure and deny economic saboteurs the freedom to operate.
