Nigerian Troops Crack Down on Oil Thieves in Niger Delta Region

Strategic Insights -

Nigerian troops, in synergy with other security agencies, have arrested 43 suspected oil thieves, uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites, and recovered over 161,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region between May 26 and June 8, 2025. The troops also apprehended 16 terrorists' logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a drug peddler in coordinated operations in Yobe and Borno states. In Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 connected to an illegal refining site, leading to the recovery of five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nigerian troops arrested 43 suspected oil thieves and uncovered 27 illegal bunkering sites in the Niger Delta region between May 26 and June 8, 2025.
  • The troops recovered over 161,000 litres of stolen products, including 18,980 litres of PMS, 27,600 litres of stolen crude, and 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags.
  • In Bayelsa State, troops discovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10 connected to an illegal refining site, leading to the recovery of five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude.
  • In Rivers State, troops intercepted a fibre boat, one wooden boat, and a large wooden barge filled with over 27,000 litres of stolen PMS, as well as a suspected oil thief conveying the items in a boat.
  • In Akwa Ibom State, a suspected oil thief was arrested with 63 Nylon bags filled with over 1,900 litres of stolen AGO and an Infinity Jeep with Registration Number APR 105 KX Abia State.
  • In Delta State, troops discovered two wooden boats loaded with over 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags concealed in a creek.
  • The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops recovered IED-making materials, armoured fabric materials, mobile phones, motorcycles, and vehicles, while the sum of N38,900.00 was also recovered during the operation.

Statistics:

  • 43 suspected oil thieves arrested
  • 27 illegal bunkering sites uncovered
  • Over 161,000 litres of stolen products recovered
  • 18,980 litres of PMS intercepted in Okrika LGA
  • 27,600 litres of stolen crude recovered in Bayelsa State
  • 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags in Delta State
  • N38,900.00 recovered during the operation
  • 16 terrorists' logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a drug peddler apprehended in Yobe and Borno states
  • 16 criminals arrested in Kogi and Lokoja LGAs of Kogi State, as well as Karu and Suleja LGAs of Nasarawa and Niger States, respectively.

Sources:

  • Nigerian Army
  • Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
  • Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah
  • Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye
  • Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame