Oil Theft: Army Discovers 636 Illegal Refining Sites, Seizes 21.7M Litres Of Crude Worth N54bn In 5 Months

In an extensive and relentless operation spanning five months, the Nigerian military has made significant strides against oil theft, unearthing 636 illegal refining sites and intercepting a mammoth 21.7 million litres of crude oil valued at N54 billion.

This crackdown is part of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to bolster the country’s revenues by curbing illegal oil activities, specifically in the South-South region.

“Their arrests and recoveries are quite impressive. They must do more because the activities of oil thieves are inimical to the nation’s economy,” emphasized security expert Oladele Fajana in response to the military’s commendable efforts.

READ ALSO: Oil Theft Continues To Frustrate Nigeria’s Efforts To Ramp Up Production

From August 3 to December 1, the military’s operations led to the apprehension of 610 suspected oil thieves and the impoundment of 670 boats used for transporting stolen crude oil and its products. The military detailed specific achievements during this period:

• August 3: 36 illegal refining sites busted, 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil seized, and seven suspects arrested with 32 wooden boats.
• August 11: 39 illegal refining sites uncovered, 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil recovered, and 17 suspected oil thieves apprehended.
• August 25: 22 suspected oil thieves arrested, and 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil recovered.
• August 31: 34 active illegal refining sites destroyed, 569,400 litres of stolen crude oil recovered, and 16 suspects detained with 36 boats.
• September 7: Intercepted 191 suspected oil thieves and retrieved 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude oil valued at N4 billion.
• September 14: 89 illegal refining sites discovered, 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil recovered, and 45 suspects apprehended.
• September 22: Recovered 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil and arrested seven suspects with 16 boats.
• September 28: Discovered 34 illegal refining sites, recovered 696,250 litres of stolen crude oil, and arrested 22 suspects with 21 boats.
• October 26: Uncovered 53 illegal refining sites, recovered 983,350 litres of stolen crude oil, and detained 19 suspects with 66 boats.
• November 17: Discovered 49 refining sites, recovered 151,850 litres of stolen crude oil, and arrested 49 suspected oil thieves.
• November 23: Destroyed 50 illegal refining sites, recovered 578,900 litres of crude oil, and arrested 49 suspects with 31 boats.
• December 1: Wrecked 51 illegal refining sites, retrieved 267,700 litres of crude oil, and detained 58 oil thieves with 25 boats.

The military’s continuous efforts to combat oil theft remain crucial, reflecting a concerted attempt to safeguard the nation’s economy against illicit activities impacting its revenue streams.