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Niger Delta Crackdown: Army Seizes ₦150m Stolen Oil, Arrests 19 Suspects

Published

4 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Massive reservoir stored with stolen crude oil uncovers in P'Harcourt

Niger Delta Crackdown: Army Seizes ₦150m Stolen Oil, Arrests 19 Suspects

The Nigerian Army, through its 6 Division, has arrested 19 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, and recovered over 180,000 litres of stolen petroleum products valued at about ₦150 million across the Niger Delta.

The successes followed a nearly one-month coordinated military operation conducted between November 23 and December 28, 2025, in collaboration with other security agencies across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

This was disclosed on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, in a statement made available to journalists.

According to Danjuma, the operations were aimed at curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other related crimes, adding that troops would continue to dominate the operational environment and deny criminals freedom of action.

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He said at Siebou Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, troops deactivated an illegal refinery and recovered over 75,000 litres of stolen crude oil alongside a pumping machine. Similar operations around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA led to the destruction of several refining sites and the recovery of more than 17,000 litres of stolen products.

At Okarki waterside in Ogbia LGA, troops intercepted a large Cotonou boat loaded with 2,775 litres of stolen crude, while another operation in Eleme and Ahoada West LGAs of Rivers State resulted in the destruction of illegal refineries and the recovery of thousands of litres of stolen crude oil.

In Orashi Forest, Abua/Odual LGA, troops uncovered four illegal refining sites connected by a nine-kilometre-long hose, with ovens capable of processing 30,000 litres each, as well as reservoirs containing over 7,000 litres of crude oil.

Further recoveries were recorded in Bonny Island, Okrika, Ikwerre, and OML 18 Alakiri, where over 6,000 litres of condensates and various bunkering equipment were seized.

In Delta State, troops intercepted a truck along the Asaba–Benin Expressway while offloading 45,000 litres of diverted petroleum products, and arrested suspects linked to illegal bunkering activities in Sapele and Ughelli South LGAs.

Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, troops discovered a warehouse stocked with illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in Abak LGA, recovering multiple jerry cans filled with stolen products.

Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, charged them to sustain the offensive against economic saboteurs and urged residents of the Niger Delta to support security agencies in protecting critical national oil infrastructure.

Niger Delta Crackdown: Army Seizes ₦150m Stolen Oil, Arrests 19 Suspects

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Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a newly‑wedded woman suspected of poisoning her husband to death in Gauza village, Jahun Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on January 23, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the community.

Police reported that the deceased fell seriously ill after eating a meal prepared by his wife and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators from the Jahun Divisional Police Headquarters launched an inquiry and quickly detained the wife as the main suspect.

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During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to putting rat poison in her husband’s food, claiming she was coerced into the marriage by her parents, which fueled resentment that led to the deadly act. Police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway, and the suspect will face court charges once the investigation is complete.

The Commissioner of Police has urged the public to remain calm, stressing that marital disputes should never escalate to violence, and warning that such actions have irreversible consequences. The tragic case highlights growing concerns over domestic poisoning and marital-related crimes in the region.

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

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Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Niger State Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that six people were killed by suspected bandits in the Wawa community of Borgu Local Government Area, intensifying concerns over the growing security crisis in rural Niger State.

Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the attack occurred on January 22, 2026, when the victims — including farmers and a local vigilante — were ambushed while heading to their farms near Damala village. Two other people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing.

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Local residents described the incident as devastating, urging the state and federal governments to take urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities from frequent bandit attacks.

This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of banditry in Niger State and neighbouring areas. Recent attacks in Damala village, Woko District, and Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community have left dozens dead, properties destroyed, and residents displaced, highlighting the escalating rural insecurity in the region.

Authorities have vowed to strengthen security operations, while experts warn that continued attacks threaten socioeconomic stability, displace local populations, and erode confidence in local law enforcement.

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

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DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicado

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe

DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicad

The whereabouts of the President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe and two other union officials, Mr Tuwonimi Benstowe and Mr Michael Mbata remain unknown, following their alleged arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Rivers State, according to their lawyer.

NAPO’s counsel said the union leader and his colleagues were picked up during a security operation in Finima, Bonny Local Government Area, but have since been held incommunicado, with no official confirmation from the DSS on their detention or location. The development has sparked growing concern among family members, labour unions and civil society groups.

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The lawyer described the action as unlawful and a violation of the detainees’ fundamental human rights, noting that security agencies are required by law to disclose the whereabouts of arrested persons and grant them access to legal representation.

The arrests reportedly followed rising tensions linked to NAPO’s labour activities, including a recent warning strike by plant operators working on the NLNG Train 7 project in Bonny. The union had protested alleged irregular salary deductions and tax remittance issues, which were also the subject of a pending case before the National Industrial Court.

Labour rights advocates have warned that the continued silence of the DSS could undermine due process and escalate industrial unrest, calling for the immediate disclosure of the detainees’ location or their release.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official response from the DSS have remained unsuccessful, while pressure continues to mount on authorities to respect the rule of law and constitutional safeguards.