Nigerian Army Arrests 17 Suspected Oil Vandals, Seizes Over 45,000 Litres of Stolen Fuel in Niger Delta Operations
Story: written by Okafor Joseph September 22,2025
In a statement issued on Sunday, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said troops carried out multiple raids across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States.
In Rivers State, soldiers on patrol in Okarki, Ahoada West Local Government Area, intercepted a Toyota 4Runner SUV loaded with over 1,600 litres of suspected stolen diesel. The driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled. In the same council, troops also recovered 23 sacks of refined products, while a wooden boat transporting petroleum products was seized in Degema.
At Obiafor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops uncovered a vandalised pipeline and seized stolen condensate along with a 250-metre hose, three-inch metal pipes, and six sacks containing 300 litres of illegally refined diesel.
In Delta State, soldiers stormed an illegal oil storage site in Ogwu, Warri South LGA. The operation led to the discovery of a tanker truck filled with stolen diesel and a storage facility containing more than 20,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Pumping machines, metering equipment, and another 20,000-litre tanker truck (registration number BEN 223 ZW, Edo State) loaded with over 10,000 litres of AGO were also seized.
In Bayelsa State, raids in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA, resulted in the destruction of illegal refining sites and dugout pits. A separate operation in Okordia led to the interception of a Toyota Camry (registration ASB 71 BG) carrying more than 600 litres of AGO.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, military patrols were intensified along oil theft routes, restricting the movement of saboteurs and disrupting supply chains.
The Army emphasized that the ongoing operations are part of efforts to protect critical national assets, combat economic sabotage, and restore environmental safety across the Niger Delta region
