In a major crackdown on crude oil theft plaguing Nigeria’s economic heartland, military operatives have arrested 43 suspects and dismantled 14 illegal refineries during a series of coordinated operations across the Niger Delta region.
The successful operations, carried out by troops of Operation Delta Safe, represent a significant blow to illegal bunkering activities that have consistently undermined Nigeria’s oil production capacity and federal revenue generation.
According to military sources who confirmed the development to our correspondent yesterday, the operations were conducted following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance in identified hotspots across Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states.
Major General Ibrahim Jallo, the Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, revealed that the suspects were apprehended while actively engaged in crude oil theft and illegal refining operations.
“Our troops conducted targeted raids based on credible intelligence, leading to these arrests. The suspects were caught red-handed tapping from wellheads and pipelines belonging to international and indigenous oil companies,” Major General Jallo stated during a briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The military operation also led to the recovery of significant equipment used in the illegal operations, including 23 boats loaded with stolen crude oil, 45 storage tanks, 18 cooking ovens, and various pumping machines.
Additionally, over 850,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products were seized and subsequently destroyed in line with standard operating procedures.
Environmental experts have continued to raise alarms about the devastating ecological impact of these illegal refineries. Dr. Patience Obioma, an environmental scientist with the Niger Delta Environmental Protection Agency, explained that crude oil refining activities create severe pollution.
“These illegal refineries release harmful chemicals and sludge into our water bodies and soil. The environmental degradation will take decades to remediate, affecting farming, fishing, and the health of communities,” Dr. Obioma noted.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has estimated that Nigeria loses approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to theft and pipeline vandalism, translating to billions of naira in foregone revenue that could have supported national development projects.
Community leaders from the affected areas have expressed support for the military operations while calling for more sustainable solutions. Chief Emmanuel Orubo from Nembe in Bayelsa State commented: “While we appreciate the military efforts, we need the government to create legitimate economic opportunities for our youth to prevent them from being lured into these activities.”
The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to relevant agencies for prosecution, with military authorities promising to intensify operations to completely eradicate oil theft in the region.
Colonel Adamu Zakari, the military spokesperson, assured that the crackdown would continue, adding that “no stone will be left unturned in our efforts to protect Nigeria’s economic assets and ensure environmental sustainability in the Niger Delta region.”
