In a major operation targeting the illegal oil activities plaguing the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Army, alongside other security agencies, has destroyed 20 illegal oil refineries and seized over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products. This operation, conducted between December 23 and December 29, 2024, covers key regions in the Niger Delta, including Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states.
The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, led by Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has intensified efforts to disrupt the rampant illegal oil theft that has been devastating both the environment and the nation’s economy. According to Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, the operation’s success reflects the Army’s unwavering commitment to curbing economic sabotage in the region.
“The mission was a decisive blow against the illegal oil trade that continues to undermine our national resources,” Lt. Col. Danjuma stated from Port Harcourt on Sunday. “In collaboration with other security agencies, we have managed to dismantle 20 illegal refineries, arrest eight suspects, and seize over 90,000 litres of stolen fuel.”
A Closer Look at the Operation’s Success
The operation was the result of precise intelligence gathering, allowing the Army to target critical illegal oil production hubs across the region. In Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), troops uncovered a tarpaulin reservoir and a wooden boat carrying an impressive 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
However, not all encounters were straightforward. At Ogajiama in Buguma/Bakana, the troops met with armed resistance but swiftly overcame the attackers with superior firepower. In the aftermath, the Army dismantled an illegal refining site, confiscated equipment—including a large pot and receiver containing 9,000 litres of refined kerosene—and arrested three suspects involved in the illicit operation.
“While executing these operations, we encountered individuals attempting to resist arrest, but our forces remained resolute,” said Lt. Col. Danjuma. “We will continue to clamp down on oil bunkering operations until it’s eradicated.”
Operations Across Multiple States
The 6 Division’s efforts were not confined to a single location. In the Krakrama Community of Degema LGA, two illegal refineries were discovered, alongside the seizure of four fibre boats, three wooden boats, and over 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Further operations in Gbede, Omoku, led to the dismantling of another refinery site and the confiscation of 27 locally made ovens, as well as 31 sacks containing over 2,000 litres of stolen fuel.
In the Imo River region, troops uncovered seven illegal refineries, seizing equipment that included six boats, 122 drum pots, and 49 drum receivers, along with over 10,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The Army also made significant progress in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom. In Bayelsa’s Biseni Forest, troops dismantled an illegal refinery and recovered 8,000 litres of stolen products. In a separate operation, an attempt to vandalize a Shell Petroleum flowline at Well 20 in Ekeremor LGA was successfully thwarted.
Delta State Efforts
Delta State saw a combination of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies employed to curb illegal activities. The Army’s approach has proven effective in denying criminal groups freedom of operation, thus reducing their ability to engage in large-scale oil theft.
Public Support and Future Plans
The operation has garnered praise from both the military and local communities, who recognize the devastating impact of illegal oil activities. Major General Jamal Abdussalam commended the troops for their dedication and urged them to remain vigilant in future operations.
“We have sent a strong message to oil thieves in the Niger Delta. The battle is far from over, but we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the security of our nation’s oil resources,” he said in a statement.
The Army’s operations also highlight the growing need for public cooperation in the fight against oil theft. Major General Abdussalam called on residents and local communities to provide reliable intelligence to help security forces identify and neutralize illegal oil activities.
“We cannot do this alone. The public’s involvement is critical in the fight against oil bunkering. Every piece of information matters,” he emphasized.
The Cost of Oil Theft
Illegal oil refining, or oil bunkering, has long been a major issue in the Niger Delta. The environmental damage caused by crude oil spills from illegal refining activities has devastated the local ecosystem, and the economic toll on the nation is staggering. The Nigerian government has been under pressure to take more decisive action to combat oil theft, which costs the country billions of dollars annually in lost revenue.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) estimates that the country loses as much as 200,000 barrels of oil per day to theft, a loss that severely hampers the country’s oil-dependent economy. The illegal refining process also poses significant risks to public safety, with many makeshift refineries lacking basic safety standards, often leading to deadly explosions and environmental pollution.
International and Domestic Implications
The operation has attracted attention not only in Nigeria but also from the international community, which has expressed concern over the environmental degradation caused by illegal oil refining in the region. Environmental organizations have long criticized the Nigerian government for its insufficient response to the destruction of the Niger Delta’s fragile ecosystem.
In the wake of this recent operation, international observers have called for more coordinated efforts between the Nigerian military and local authorities to ensure that the region’s oil wealth is protected from criminal exploitation.
Additionally, the operation aligns with broader regional and national efforts to combat economic sabotage and boost Nigeria’s oil production to meet both domestic and international demand
