Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have intensified operations across the Niger Delta, dismantling illegal refining networks and intercepting large volumes of stolen petroleum products valued at over ₦250 million, in a sustained crackdown on economic sabotage in the region.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Sunday, 26 April 2026
Time: 18:22 WAT
Location: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
The operations, conducted between 1 and 26 April 2026, led to the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves, the deactivation of ten illegal refining sites, and the recovery of over 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil alongside more than 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), according to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.
Across Rivers State, troops executed multiple intelligence-led operations targeting entrenched illicit networks in creeks and hinterland corridors. At Ukpeye Community along the East-West Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area, an abandoned truck loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen products was intercepted, while a major reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of crude was uncovered in the Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West.
Further operations led to the discovery of another reservoir holding over 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, with associated siphoning infrastructure destroyed. At Ebocha, Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, troops confiscated 266 sacks containing 17,760 litres of stolen products. Additional seizures were recorded at Abessa Forest and Okolomade in Abua/Odual, where multiple sacks and refining installations were dismantled and waste pits neutralised.
In Delta State, troops uncovered an active tapping point linked to a storage pit containing over 2,700 litres of stolen products in Obazogbe Community, Ethiope Local Government Area. In Akwa Ibom State, a stockpile of 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO concealed in 45 bags was recovered in Ikot Ekpene, with suspects fleeing upon troop approach. Bayelsa operations similarly focused on sustained denial of operational space to oil theft syndicates.
The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended troops for maintaining operational pressure and directed the continuation of aggressive actions against oil theft networks and associated criminality across the Niger Delta.
This is a sustained economic warfare response. By targeting production nodes, storage infrastructure and transport channels simultaneously, the military is shifting from reactive interception to systemic disruption of oil theft economies.
🏷️ Tags: Niger Delta, Oil Theft, Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Economic Sabotage, Energy Security
#NigerDelta #OilTheft #EnergySecurity #NigerianArmy #EconomicSabotage
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