Troops Apprehend 25 Oil Thieves, Recover 45,000 Litres Of Stolen Crude In Delta

25 oil thieves, including 4 IPOB members, arrested.
45,000 litres of stolen crude oil recovered.
23 illegal refineries deactivated across Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.

Nigerian Army’s Clampdown on Oil Theft
The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has intensified its efforts to tackle oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region. In a series of coordinated operations conducted from January 12 to 19, troops successfully apprehended 25 oil thieves, including four members of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The operations resulted in the deactivation of 23 illegal refineries and the recovery of over 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil. This was disclosed by Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division.

Major Operations Across States

Delta State
- Four IPOB members were arrested during a sting operation in the Power Line Bonsac area of Oshimili South Local Council.
- Troops intercepted motorcycles carrying stolen crude oil at Abor Junction, Ndokwa West Local Council.
- Five dugout pits containing stolen crude were destroyed along Yokri River in Burutu Council.
Rivers State
- A truck carrying 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil was intercepted along the East-West Road near Tank Junction in Eneka, Obio-Akpor Local Council.
- In Degema Council, seven illegal refineries were dismantled around the Karakarma area, recovering four fibre boats and 12,000 litres of stolen products.
- Additional operations in Bille led to the destruction of two illegal refining sites and the seizure of 2,400 litres of stolen crude.
Bayelsa State
- Troops impounded two Toyota Avalon vehicles loaded with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along the Okarki-Otuasega Road in Ogbia Council.
Akwa Ibom State
- The military maintained a robust operational posture to deter criminal activities in the region.

Notable Recoveries

14 boats, 25 drum pots, 24 receiver tanks, and 6 metal containers were among the items seized.
In Buguma Council, four boats and 2,700 litres of stolen crude were recovered.
A tugboat and a barge loaded with stolen AGO were intercepted near Finima in Bonny Council.

Military Leadership Commendation
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, praised the troops for their diligence and urged them to sustain their momentum. He emphasized the importance of denying IPOB and other criminal elements any operational foothold in the Niger Delta