NIGERIAN army troops have dismantled at least 27 illegal oil refining sites and seized a significant quantity of stolen crude oil in a series of raids this week across the Niger River delta, an area notorious for illicit oil activities. The operations, aimed at curbing widespread oil theft, resulted in the confiscation of around 100,000 litres of stolen crude, according to an army spokesperson.
The army also seized three vehicles loaded with illegally refined fuel during the raids, which are part of an ongoing campaign to tackle the severe issue of oil theft and pipeline sabotage in Nigeria. These illegal activities have significantly hampered oil production and exports from Africa’s top energy producer, severely impacting government revenues and presenting a major challenge for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Acting army spokesperson Danjuma Jonah Danjuma highlighted the continued efforts of the Nigerian military to address the illegal bunkering operations that have crippled the nation’s oil industry. The military’s operations are crucial in restoring Nigeria’s oil production capacity and safeguarding its economic stability.
The destruction of these illicit refineries and the seizure of stolen crude mark another step in the government’s broader strategy to combat the illegal oil trade and protect the country’s vital energy resources.
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