PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and seized more than 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in a series of raids across the Niger Delta region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The arrests were made during coordinated operations by troops of the Army’s 6 Division in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other agencies. The operations targeted sites used for illegal oil refining and bunkering in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, the Army said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, troops intercepted trucks, boats, and containers loaded with stolen crude oil and illegally refined products. They also dismantled makeshift refining facilities and recovered large quantities of equipment, including pumping machines, hoses, and metal tanks.

“The suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence about their involvement in illegal oil activities,” said Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division. “Our troops will continue to sustain the pressure on criminal elements until oil theft is completely eliminated from the region.”

Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to remain committed to the fight against economic sabotage. He said the army will maintain close coordination with other security agencies to ensure the protection of national assets.

Oil theft and illegal refining have long been major challenges in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s oil-producing hub. The government estimates that the country loses hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily to illegal bunkering, costing billions of dollars in lost revenue and environmental damage.

In recent months, the military has intensified patrols and surveillance across oil-producing communities to curb the illicit trade. Several arrests have been made, and dozens of illegal refineries have been destroyed as part of Operation Delta Safe, a joint task force operation launched to secure the region.

Security analysts say the latest arrests demonstrate growing coordination among the security agencies. However, they caution that long-term success will depend on consistent enforcement and addressing the root causes of oil theft, including poverty and unemployment in local communities.

“This operation is a step in the right direction, but it must be sustained,” said energy analyst Kelvin Onyekachi. “Beyond arrests, the government should create economic opportunities in the Niger Delta to reduce the lure of illegal refining.”

The seized petroleum products will be handed over to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for proper handling, while the suspects are expected to face prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-bunkering laws, the Army said.

Authorities have urged residents of the Niger Delta to report suspicious activities to security agencies and warned that anyone caught aiding or abetting oil theft will be prosecuted.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s economic interests and ensuring that legitimate oil operations can thrive without interference from criminal networks.

“Oil theft is not just a crime against the state,” Lt. Col. Danjuma said. “It is a crime against every Nigerian whose future depends on the stability of our economy. We will not relent until this menace is defeated.”