By 9jaeye 
In a decisive operation to combat oil theft, Nigerian Army troops from the 6th Division recently seized 230,000 liters of stolen crude oil and dismantled 37 illegal refineries across the Niger Delta region. The crackdown, executed in close coordination with other security agencies, targeted numerous illicit sites spread across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and Imo States. This coordinated response represents an intensified effort to protect Nigeria’s oil resources and prevent further economic sabotage in the resource-rich region.
Coordinated Strike Against Illegal Refineries
The Nigerian Army’s Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, reported that troops intercepted various vehicles and boats used to transport stolen crude oil. Among the confiscated equipment were large wooden boats carrying up to 120,000 liters of stolen oil. Additionally, they seized 44 large cooking pots used for refining, effectively disrupting illicit production sites. Moreover, troops intercepted vehicles carrying sacks of illegally sourced oil products and dismantled pipeline connections that siphoned crude oil from established facilities. In one notable interception, troops discovered an illegal loading point at Eteo Setraco Junction in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. This loading site, heavily fortified, served as a transfer point for stolen crude loaded into tanker trucks. The operation resulted in the arrest of five security guards stationed at the site, further illustrating the organized nature of oil theft in the region.
Increased Vigilance and Community Support
General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Jamal Abdussalam praised the troops for their success in dismantling these networks and urged continued vigilance among security forces. He further called on community members to cooperate with security forces by providing credible information on suspected oil theft activities. The Nigerian Army has committed to making the Niger Delta “untenable for criminal elements,” thus ensuring that legal oil operations proceed unhindered.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a Mack truck attempting to steal crude oil from a pipeline in Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government Area, though the perpetrators fled upon the troops’ arrival. Furthermore, in Bayelsa, operations led to the recovery of additional thousands of liters of stolen crude from various illegal refinery sites. During this operation, troops in Akwa Ibom arrested a suspect who was transporting nylon bags filled with illegally sourced oil.
Continued Efforts to Protect Nigeria’s Oil Assets
Ultimately, the Nigerian Army’s recent actions underline a sustained commitment to reducing illegal refining activities that harm both the environment and the economy. As oil theft has persisted as a major challenge in Nigeria, these operations signal a stronger stance against economic saboteurs and encourage the local populace to support the Army’s ongoing security measures.
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