KEY POINTS

• During Army operations against oil theft, authorities arrested 23 individuals involved in theft operations within the targeted period.
• The combined peace operations in Niger Delta states resulted in the confiscation of greater than 67,000 liters of stolen products.
• The dismantling of 16 illegal refineries alongside criminal disruption operations became a major achievement in recent key operations.

Theo Nigerian Army detailed for Sunday how its soldiers eliminated 16 artisanal refineries and processed 23 oil theft suspects while capturing more than 67,000 liters of stolen petroleum products throughout the previous week.

Between April 14–20 2025 the operations against illegal refining operations happened in the Niger Delta region through partnerships with key stakeholders.

Seizures and 23 oil thieves arrested across states

Enforcing the deactivation of four unauthorized refining operations proved to be the temporal focus of Nigerian troops near the Adibawa Oando Wellhead in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The successful operation led military forces to confiscate 35,000 liters of stolen crude oil as well as arrest 2,500 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO).

The military forces seized Wellhead valves together with pumping machines. Security teams conducted operations in Gbarain-Zarama road and Yelga which resulted in stopping two suspects transporting stolen products through tricycles.

Operations along the Imo River in Rivers State caused the destruction of six artisanal refineries while military forces recovered more than 22,000 liters of stolen products. The troops found stolen crude oil suspected of coming from NNPC Jetty in Okrika inside a wooden boat that held more than 2,500 liters.

Criminal merchants operating in Kula general area led to three tugboat and one fiber boat seizure while officers found above 1,500 liters of illegally refined AGO on board.

Expanded operations and thieves arrested

Security operations in Rivers led to capturing stolen goods from boats located at Obohia road and Obrikom waterside which are parts of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

A team of Nigerian forces in Delta State captured two suspected kidnappers after seizing their dangerous weapons in addition to rifles and cutlasses and multiple spiritual charms. Multiple oil refining operations and numerous stolen oil reserves were taken over by the troops during their operations.

The military forces in Akwa Ibom State maintained effective control over the area which denied criminals their freedom of movement.

General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah conducted site inspections at several troop bases across Bayelsa and Delta States before guaranteeing ongoing welfare benefits and operational speed maintenance to troops.