The Nigerian Army has recovered 90,000 litres of stolen oil and dismantled 20 illegal refining sites in a crackdown on oil thieves n the Niger Delta.
This operation, carried out by troops of the 6 Division alongside other security agencies, led to the arrest of eight suspects between December 23 and 29, 2024.
A spokesperson for the 6 Division, Major Danjuma Jonah, described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to tackle economic sabotage in the region. He emphasised that “troops discovered a massive tarpaulin reservoir containing 37,000 litres of stolen condensates and dismantled a wooden boat used for illicit transport.”
High-Stakes Operations
In Buguma, Rivers State, the Army engaged in a gunfight with oil thieves, forcing the criminals to flee. Several illegal refining sites were dismantled, including one containing 9,000 litres of illicitly refined kerosene. At Omoku in Rivers State, the troops confiscated 27 ovens and sacks filled with 2,000 litres of stolen crude.
The crackdown extended across Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states, where various refining equipment, boats, and stolen petroleum products were seized. In Akwa Ibom, 8,680 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were traced to a filling station in Mbo LGA, suspected of smuggling fuel to neighboring countries.
Regional Collaboration Needed
The General Officer Commanding, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, urged the public to provide intelligence to help curb oil theft. “We must work together to protect our resources and ensure a thriving economy for all,” he said.
With Nigeria losing an estimated $2 billion annually to oil theft, this latest operation underscores the Army’s commitment to securing the nation’s resources.
