By John Umeh
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has recovered more than 18,000 litres of stolen crude oil and shut down eight illegal refineries in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta.
In a statement on Sunday, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said the operations, carried out jointly with other security agencies between September 21 and October 5, 2025, also led to arrests and the seizure of equipment used for oil theft and illegal refining.
He explained that troops stormed a newly established illegal refining site at Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, where they dismantled drums, ovens, pipes, receivers, and recovered over 3,500 litres of stolen crude. Acting on intelligence, soldiers also intercepted a red Mercedes-Benz vacuum truck carrying over 3,200 litres of crude along Aba Road in Oyigbo LGA. The driver abandoned the vehicle on sighting the troops.
Further raids around the fringes of the Imo River uncovered another refining camp with three drum pots, two drum receivers, and more than 2,000 litres of crude stored in sacks. Additional seizures were made in Odogwa (Etche LGA), Obeama Uzomiri Waterside (Oyigbo LGA), and at the Obiafor Oil Field (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).
In Akwa Ibom State, troops arrested two suspects after intercepting two Toyota Camry cars loaded with 120 nylon bags containing about 3,600 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along Ikot Okoro, Abak LGA. In Bayelsa State, over 950 litres of petroleum products were discovered hidden in an abandoned house at Biseni community, Yenagoa LGA.
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the troops for their determination and warned oil thieves to turn away from illegal activities, pledging that the Army will continue to protect the region from economic sabotage.
