The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of 20 suspected oil thieves and the destruction of 19 illegal oil refining sites in a major crackdown across the Niger Delta region.
Over 589,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered during the week-long operation, which took place from May 19 to May 25, 2025. The Army conducted the raids in collaboration with other security agencies across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, said the operations had led to “several successes” in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft.
He said, in Delta State, illegal refining sites were dismantled in Jeddo and Warri South, while Bayelsa State saw the destruction of another site in Biseni, Yenagoa, containing ovens, drums, and other refining equipment.
“In Akwa Ibom, troops maintained a strong presence in the creeks and waterways to prevent further illegal activity”.
“All suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution, and recovered petroleum products were processed according to established procedures,” he added.
Major General Emmanuel Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to ending oil theft in the region.
“We are determined to create a secure environment where legal oil and gas activities can thrive,” he said.
Oil theft and illegal refining have long plagued the Niger Delta, damaging the environment and depriving Nigeria of billions in revenue annually.