Nigerian Army Intensifies Crackdown on Oil Theft, Deactivates 56 Illegal Refineries, Recovers 1.2 Million Litres of Crude
Nigerian Army Intensifies Crackdown on Oil Theft, Deactivates 56 Illegal Refineries, Recovers 1.2 Million Litres of Crude
By Matthew Eloyi
Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, achieving significant breakthroughs.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, on Sunday.
According to the statement, between November 25 and December 1, 2024, the military deactivated 56 illegal oil refining sites, confiscated 88 cooking drums, and dismantled 20 boats used for the illicit trade. The operations also led to the recovery of over 1.2 million litres of stolen crude oil and the arrest of 17 suspects.
In Bayelsa State, soldiers discovered 15 illegal refining sites in Okordia Forest, Yenagoa Local Government Area, recovering 755,000 litres of stolen crude and 53,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Similarly, in Biseni Forest, 12 illegal sites yielded 34,000 litres of stolen crude and 5,500 litres of refined AGO.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered an illegal connection to a 36-inch government pipeline in Kula I, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, where over 100,000 litres of stolen products were stored in a ground reservoir. Around Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, an abandoned truck containing 35,000 litres of stolen crude, concealed with sawdust, was discovered. Additional raids in Degema LGA dismantled eight refining sites and confiscated 27,000 litres of crude, wooden boats, and equipment used for refining.
At the Imo River, troops deactivated 11 refining sites and seized 88 cooking drums, 26 metal container receivers, and 14 plastic tanks. These operations also led to the arrest of three suspects.
In Delta and Edo States, security forces pursued oil thieves to Ugo Community in Orhionwon LGA, Edo State, arresting one suspect who revealed a storage site containing over 40,000 litres of stolen crude packed in sacks. Similarly, in Warri South LGA, Delta State, troops dismantled an active refining site with over 2,000 litres of AGO and arrested four suspects.
In Akwa Ibom State, soldiers intercepted 5,580 litres of petroleum products at Enwang Bridge in Mbo LGA, allegedly being prepared for smuggling to a neighboring country.
Major General Jamal Abdussalam, General Officer Commanding 6 Division, commended the troops for their successes and pledged sustained efforts to secure critical national infrastructure in the region. “The ongoing onslaught against illegal oil bunkering will be sustained to secure all critical national infrastructures,” he affirmed.
The crackdown underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to tackling economic sabotage and protecting the nation’s resources.
