The Nigerian Army has intensified its crackdown on illegal oil refining, destroying 12 refining sites and arresting 16 suspects in the Niger Delta. Troops recovered over 70,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and intercepted nine vandalised pipelines during a week-long operation across Rivers and three other states. The military, working with other security agencies, also demobilised six boats used for illicit oil activities.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the operation, stating, “Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, have destroyed 12 illegal refining sites, arrested 16 suspected oil thieves, demobilised six boats, intercepted nine vandalised pipes, and confiscated over 70,000 litres of stolen products across the joint operations area.”
Troops Seize Stolen Crude in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta
In Rivers State, soldiers intercepted two suction trucks, each carrying 12,000 litres of stolen crude along Igwuruta, Airport Road. A separate raid at a scrap yard led to the seizure of 10,000 litres of stolen petroleum stored in large tanks.
Further operations in the Imo River region saw the destruction of three illegal refining sites, 43 cooking drum pots, and 23 receivers. Troops also uncovered 4,000 litres of stolen crude and seized a locally fabricated double-barrel gun abandoned by fleeing oil thieves.
In Bayelsa’s Sagbama Local Government Area, security forces arrested a suspected oil thief with over 1,100 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Meanwhile, in Delta State, intelligence-led operations resulted in the interception of an abandoned wooden boat carrying 3,160 litres of stolen crude within the Ashaka Okpai community. Troops also confiscated eight sacks filled with unquantified condensates along the Oando pipeline in Tuomo village, Bomadi.
Army Vows to Sustain Crackdown on Oil Crimes
The Nigerian Army has vowed to sustain its efforts against oil theft. Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, commended the troops for their operational successes and urged them to intensify their crackdown on illegal refining and oil pipeline vandalism.
Despite repeated military actions, illegal refining operations continue to thrive in the Niger Delta, raising questions about how deeply entrenched these criminal networks have become. While the government boasts about its fight against oil theft, the reality remains that stolen crude keeps flowing, and the problem persists. How long before another “successful” raid is followed by the next discovery of illegal refineries? The cycle continues.
