Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have achieved significant successes in their crackdown on oil theft across the Niger Delta region. Between May 26 and June 8, 2025, these operations led to the arrest of 43 suspected oil thieves, the discovery and dismantling of 27 illegal bunkering sites and refineries, and the recovery of over 161,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to combat economic sabotage and enhance security in the oil-rich region.

In Bayelsa State, operations were extensive. Along Zarama-Joinkrama 4, troops uncovered an illegal connection point at Wellhead 10. Subsequent actions led to the recovery of five cooking ovens, five reservoirs, five dugout pits, a generator, and over 30,000 litres of stolen crude. At Biseni Community in Yenagoa LGA, two more illegal connection points were found, along with 19 big pots, 18 drum pots, 36 drum receivers, 19 drum coolants, a pumping machine, six metallic drum receivers stocked with over 4,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), and over 27,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 460 sacks. Further operations at Luka Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA resulted in the discovery of an illegal refining site and the confiscation of over 1,500 litres of stolen products. At Tamogbene in Ekeremor LGA, troops recovered 71 big pipes, 30 small pipes concealed under logs of wood, one 40HP engine, and a wooden boat; two suspected vandals conveying the items fled upon sighting the troops.

Operations in Rivers State also yielded substantial results. Troops intercepted a fibre boat, a wooden boat, and a large wooden barge laden with over 27,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), apprehending eight suspects in connection to the crime. In the Dorger Land Community, Okrika LGA, a wooden boat carrying 18,980 litres of PMS was intercepted, and three suspected oil thieves were apprehended. Additional seizures occurred at Okarki Forest, Banana Creek in Ahoada West, and Degema LGAs respectively. An illegal refining site along Egbema-Okolomade in Abua/Odual LGA was uncovered, yielding two cooking ovens, drums, receivers, and over 3,000 litres of stolen crude. At Oyigbo, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number SML 204 VJ, loaded with over 3,000 litres of stolen crude concealed in sacks. In a related development, at Omoku, close to the waterside, troops intercepted over 2,700 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) in 45 sacks.

In Akwa Ibom State, a suspected oil thief was arrested at Ekparakwa along Ikot Abasi-Oruk Anam LGA, with 63 Nylon bags filled with over 1,900 litres of stolen AGO, while on transit with an Infinity Jeep with Registration Number APR 105 KX Abia State. Two other suspected oil thieves were arrested along Abak-Ikot Abasi road, also in Abak LGA, in a Toyota Camry with Registration Number UJ 804 KJA Lagos, loaded with over 840 litres of PMS, stocked in 31 Nylon bags. Meanwhile, in Delta State, operations within Obodo, Ugbukoko, Jatumi, and Obofo Oil Fields in Warri South LGA, led to the discovery of two wooden boats loaded with over 3,600 litres of stolen crude stored in 120 cellophane bags concealed in a creek. At the Bennett Ogboloja area, also in Warri South LGA, two illegal refining sites, two ovens, two pumping machines, as well as a makeshift shop stocked with drums of illegally refined AGO, estimated to be over 500 litres, were handled appropriately. At Urakpa Gana waterside in Sapele LGA, four suspected oil thieves were arrested in possession of 57 sacks of stolen condensates, estimated to be over 1,800 litres. Troops at Urakpa Gana also intercepted two Toyota vehicles with Registration Numbers GWA 312 KZ and Delta WWR 675 JU, loaded with 1,630 litres of condensates filled in 47 bags.

Corroborating these efforts, the Defence Headquarters, through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, reported that troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 27 illegal refining sites in May 2025. These operations foiled oil theft valued at over N31.4 million, involving the recovery of 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,240 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Additionally, 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 34 dugout pits, 13 boats, one barge, one tug boat, 40 storage tanks, and nine drums were destroyed or recovered. During these operations, 27 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested. Maj. Gen. Kangye also noted anti-criminality operations in Sapele LGA, Delta, on June 1, 2025, where three criminals were arrested, and weapons, ammunition, mobile phones, laptops, television sets, and a vehicle were recovered.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, lauded the troops for their resilience in the ongoing crackdown and enjoined them to sustain the tempo against oil thieves in the region. Beyond the Niger Delta, other military operations continue across the country. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai apprehended 16 terrorists’ logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a drug peddler in well-coordinated operations in Damaturu, Yunusari, and Geidam LGAs of Yobe State, as well as Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, and Kaga. During these operations, troops recovered IED-making materials, armoured fabric materials, mobile phones, motorcycles, vehicles, and the sum of N38,900.00. Concurrently, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted precision airstrikes on June 5 and 6, 2025, decimating key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State, neutralizing several terrorists and destroying key logistics structures. Furthermore, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke acted on a tip-off and raided the residence of a suspected bandit in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State on May 30, 2025, recovering weapons, ammunition, military uniforms, and accoutrements. This operation also led to the arrest of 16 other criminals in various operations across Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Edo States, with recoveries including weapons, ammunition, laptops, vehicles, motorcycles, and the sum of N438,810.00.

In a related development focusing on the Niger Delta's environmental health, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a tree-planting campaign. This initiative, announced during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking World Environment Day, aims to promote environmental sustainability, enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and improve the quality of life for the region's inhabitants by addressing critical issues such as the lack of eco-friendly practices, deforestation, and unethical business practices.