The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division launched a significant operation against illegal oil bunkering and theft in the Niger Delta region, spanning four states and yielding substantial results. The operation, conducted in conjunction with other security agencies, resulted in the dismantling of 11 illegal refineries, the arrest of 50 suspected oil thieves, and the confiscation of 25,000 liters of stolen petroleum products. Furthermore, the troops uncovered numerous illegal connection points used to siphon oil from pipelines, highlighting the sophisticated nature of these criminal activities. This coordinated effort signifies a concerted push to curb the rampant oil theft plaguing the region and its detrimental impact on the nation’s economy.
The operation unfolded across various locations within the Niger Delta, with a particular focus on Rivers State. Here, the troops concentrated on disrupting attempts to re-establish illegal bunkering hubs and dismantling existing camps. Clearance operations along the Imo River led to the destruction of seven illegal refineries, along with associated equipment like drum pots, drum receivers, and coolants. Thousands of liters of crude oil were recovered in these operations around Obuzor and Ozaa West, straddling Abia and Rivers States. In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, another illegal refinery was dismantled, revealing substantial quantities of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and crude oil.
The army’s efforts extended beyond dismantling the refineries themselves. A reservoir containing chemicals used in the illegal refining process was also discovered and neutralized, along with sacks containing stolen AGO and DPK. These discoveries underscore the scale of the illegal operations and the environmental risks posed by the use of such chemicals. The apprehension of three suspected oil thieves and the seizure of equipment like plastic hoses and metal drums further disrupted the oil theft network. In the Okarki Forest within Ahoada West Local Government Area, several holding facilities used to store stolen oil were also dismantled.
The operations extended beyond Rivers State to encompass other parts of the Niger Delta. In Delta State, troops operating along the Jeddo waterways in Warri South Local Government Area deactivated a speedboat and a wooden boat loaded with sacks containing over 1,720 liters of stolen petroleum products. Further inland, a raid on a store in the Obiaruku community of Ukwuani Local Government Area uncovered 24 jerrycans filled with illegally refined AGO. Another interception occurred along the creek near Ugbokodo, also in Warri South, where troops seized a wooden boat laden with stolen oil. These actions demonstrate the wide geographical scope of the anti-oil theft operations and the determination of the troops to disrupt these criminal networks across multiple locations.
Bayelsa State also saw significant action, with troops actively working to curb oil theft. In Yenagoa Local Government Area, a wheelbarrow and a gas cylinder, likely intended for use in compromising pipelines, were seized at Ikarama. This proactive approach aims to prevent oil theft before it occurs by confiscating equipment used in pipeline breaches. In the remote Angiama community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, troops confiscated stolen petroleum products and apprehended suspects. These efforts demonstrate the army’s commitment to pursuing oil thieves even in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
The operation’s reach extended to Akwa Ibom State, where a warehouse raid in Ukanafun Local Government Area uncovered 15 jerrycans filled with illegally refined AGO. This demonstrates the interconnected nature of the illegal oil trade across the Niger Delta region. The military’s consistent operations across multiple states are aimed at disrupting the entire network, from refining sites to storage and transportation hubs. The comprehensive nature of this operation signifies a determined effort to tackle the deeply entrenched problem of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian Army’s sustained presence and operations across waterways and inland areas send a strong message of deterrence to oil thieves and other criminal elements operating within the Niger Delta region. By disrupting illegal refineries, confiscating stolen products, and apprehending suspects, the military aims to cripple the economic incentives driving oil theft. The continued dominance of the waterways and hinterland is crucial to denying these criminal networks the freedom to operate and to safeguarding Nigeria’s valuable oil resources. The collaboration with other security agencies enhances the effectiveness of these operations and contributes to a more secure environment for legitimate economic activities in the region.
