The Nigerian Army has intensified its crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), dismantling 20 illegal refining sites, arresting 11 suspected oil thieves, and confiscating over 190,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Army detailed the operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies between December 30, 2024, and January 5, 2025. The campaign targeted dismantling criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s oil resources.
Key achievements of the operation include the destruction of 31 boats used for siphoning and transporting stolen products and the interception of seven vehicles carrying over 190,000 litres of illicit crude oil and refined products.
At Oando Wellhead in Benkrukru, located in Okordia, Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA), four oil sewage facilities containing over 70,000 litres of stolen crude were discovered. The troops also recovered a suction machine and approximately 700 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
In Nembe LGA’s Amalaghakiri area, two illegal refining sites were dismantled, and over 15,000 litres of stolen products were seized. A similar operation in Oyeregbene, Southern Ijaw LGA, led to the destruction of another illegal refinery and the recovery of 1,500 litres of stolen crude.
In Rivers State, at Omoku, troops uncovered an illegal connection point on the Oando pipeline near Ebocha, where four boats laden with over 22,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated. At Obiafu Oil Field in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, wooden boats and pits containing 8,000 litres of stolen products were neutralized.
Furthermore, in Mgbede, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and seized five wooden boats, 108 locally fabricated ovens, and tanks storing over 31,000 litres of stolen products.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating oil theft and protecting Nigeria’s resources, urging communities to support efforts to combat illegal activities in the oil-rich region.
