In a determined effort to clamp down on the widespread illegal oil bunkering activities that have plagued Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army recently carried out a major operation that led to the interception of over 198,000 litres of stolen crude oil. This operation, which targeted oil theft networks in Rivers State, resulted in the arrest of five suspects, along with the confiscation of a barge, tugboat, and three speedboats used in the illegal activity.
According to a statement released on Monday by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, the successful interception of this large quantity of crude oil came after troops acted on credible intelligence. The soldiers swiftly moved in on the suspects near Cawthorne Channel I, catching them in the act of siphoning crude oil from a barge linked to a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) flow station. The meticulous operation underscores the army’s relentless drive to dismantle criminal networks involved in oil theft, a problem that continues to undermine the country’s oil production and revenue generation.
The interception of the stolen crude oil is just one of many recent successes in the ongoing anti-oil theft operations spearheaded by the Nigerian Army in the Niger Delta region. Over the past week alone, more than 280,000 litres of crude oil have been recovered, with troops uncovering a staggering 63 illegal oil bunkering sites and 11 illegal connections used by criminals to siphon crude oil from pipelines. These discoveries have been pivotal in disrupting the operations of organized criminal groups involved in oil theft, which has long been a source of economic sabotage in the region.
Lt. Col. Danjuma further revealed that the anti-oil theft operations extended beyond Rivers State, with soldiers making significant breakthroughs in neighbouring Abia State. In Isimiri and Obiakpu villages, located in Ukwa West Local Government Area, troops uncovered four illegal oil connections, which were being used to divert crude oil from pipelines. Similar discoveries were made in Owaza and Uzuaku villages in Ukwa South Local Government Area, where illegal oil connections were also dismantled. These operations not only disrupted the illegal siphoning of crude oil but also sent a strong message to criminals operating in the region that the Nigerian Army remains resolute in its efforts to stamp out oil theft.
In addition to uncovering illegal connections, the army seized a boat carrying 3,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products. The boat, which was being used to transport the stolen products, was confiscated as part of the ongoing operation. Furthermore, an illegal refining site that was responsible for processing the stolen crude oil was dismantled, effectively cutting off one of the channels through which criminals had been operating.
The army’s operations also expanded to other parts of Rivers State, where clearance operations were carried out around the Imo River. These operations targeted illegal refining sites in Okoloma, Obuzor, and surrounding communities. As a result, 42 illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 13,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered, along with several wooden boats and other equipment used in the illicit refining process. This operation, described as “kinetic” in the army’s statement, demonstrates the military’s commitment to using forceful measures to dismantle criminal activities in the region.
In a particularly notable operation in Alakiri, located in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites. These sites, which had been used to process stolen crude oil, were equipped with ovens, storage tanks, and other specialized equipment. During the raid, the soldiers destroyed two ovens and confiscated equipment used to siphon over 29,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Similar operations were carried out across Omoku, Buguma, and Bukuma, where additional illegal refining sites, cooking ovens, and reservoirs were destroyed. Thousands of litres of refined petroleum products were recovered, further curbing the criminals’ ability to profit from their illegal activities.
The military’s campaign against oil theft also extends to Bayelsa and Delta States, where similar operations have yielded significant results. In Kaiama community, located in Bayelsa State, troops discovered 1,400 litres of stolen crude oil hidden in the residence of a suspect. The suspect was arrested and handed over to the authorities for prosecution, marking yet another step in the military’s broader strategy to bring oil thieves to justice.
Meanwhile, in Delta State, the army successfully thwarted an attempt to vandalize a gas pipeline in Okpai community. This operation prevented what could have been a major disruption to the country’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, soldiers destroyed an illegal refining site in Warri South Local Government Area, further weakening the network of criminals involved in oil theft and illegal refining in the state.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division and Commander of the Joint Task Force land component of Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in the fight against oil theft. He commended the troops for their dedication and assured the public that the army would continue to dismantle illegal oil bunkering networks across the Niger Delta. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that oil exploration and production activities in the region remain unhindered, stressing that criminality would not be allowed to thrive under his watch.
Major General Abdussalam’s statement underscores the army’s resolve to sustain the momentum of these operations, which are critical to protecting Nigeria’s oil resources. Oil theft has long been a source of economic loss for the country, with billions of naira in revenue being siphoned away by criminals. The military’s aggressive crackdown on illegal bunkering is, therefore, a crucial step in safeguarding the nation’s most valuable resource.
As the army intensifies its operations across the Niger Delta, it remains clear that the military is committed to not only intercepting stolen crude oil but also destroying the infrastructure that supports the illegal refining and transportation of petroleum products. With the continued recovery of stolen oil and the dismantling of illegal refineries, the Nigerian Army is making significant strides in restoring order and accountability to the country’s oil sector.
This multi-faceted approach, combining intelligence-driven operations with decisive military action, has proven effective in curbing the activities of oil thieves. However, the success of these operations will ultimately depend on the continued collaboration between the military, local communities, and other stakeholders in the region. For now, the army remains resolute in its commitment to combat any potential threat to the region and country.
