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| Troops demolish illegal oil refinery ovens swiftly |
Troops of Operation Delta Safe moved hard last week. They shut down 19 makeshift oil refineries across the Niger Delta. They ended crude theft valued at N291 million in stolen products. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, gave the numbers. He said troops also smashed 18 cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums, and 16 boats used by thieves .
The operation ran from July 10 to July 16. It spread across Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, and neighboring states. At each site, soldiers moved in at dawn. They secured the area, rounded up suspects, and then destroyed refining gear. They poured diesel on ovens before setting them alight. They filled pits with earth to prevent reuse. In some cases, they cut hoses used to siphon oil from pipelines .
Troops arrested 42 people suspected of oil theft. Weapons and explosives came up in searches. They also recovered pumping machines, drill rigs, tricycles, motorcycles, and 13 vehicles. A few kidnapped hostages walked free during raids. They looked shaken but unharmed. Officials treated them before handing them to relief groups .
The week’s haul included 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil. Troops seized 29,730 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. They also picked up 1,759 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene. That haul alone would fill about 300 tanker trucks. It shows how bold thieves have grown. They tap pipes, bring equipment, and refine crude at secret sites. Then they sell fuel in local markets .
Bayelsa State saw fierce action. Soldiers scoured the creeks of Southern Ijaw LGA. They found a boat hidden under mangrove cover. Inside were jerrycans filled with refined AGO. They arrested 28 suspects tied to a drug network. The group sold both bunkered fuel and illicit drugs. Troops turned them over to the NDLEA after securing evidence .
In Rivers and Delta states, troops nabbed a notorious cult leader. He used oil bunkering to fund his gang. He and 13 accomplices faced charges of kidnapping and oil theft. Their haul included arms, ammunition, and five trucks loaded with jerrycans .
Beyond last week’s sweep, this raid adds to bigger gains. Over the past year, troops denied thieves N91 billion in stolen oil. They crushed more than 3,000 dugout pits and dozens of refining sites . That figure rivals the annual output of some medium refineries in the region. It underlines how vital persistent patrols and raids remain in stopping theft and protecting revenue .
Experts say oil theft dents Nigeria’s economy and environment. The nation loses up to 300,000 barrels per day to bun kerers. That is over 15 percent of daily output. It costs the government more than N1 trillion a year in lost revenue. It also brings fresh oil spills. Crude seeps into creeks and farmland. Fish die off and farmers lose crops. Health workers report spikes in illness among locals exposed to polluted water.
A veteran petroleum analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted how theft undercuts efforts to boost refining at home. Nigeria runs two state refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri. Combined, they process about 210,000 barrels per day. But they operate at 20 percent capacity due to damage and theft . That forces Nigeria to import refined fuel, costing hard currency and adding to shortages.
On May 22, 2023, the Dangote Refinery began output near Lagos. It can handle 650,000 barrels per day. It aims to meet domestic demand and export fuel. But even that new plant feels the impact of crude losses. Theft drives down feedstock supply and raises costs. Industry insiders say it also spurs illegal marketers to divert cargo from pipelines feeding Dangote’s site .
The military’s public relations arm urges communities to join the fight. Soldiers hosted a workshop in Port Harcourt last month. The General Officer Commanding warned that everyone suffers from stolen oil. He asked village chiefs, traders, and truck drivers to flag bunkering activities. Drivers were told not to load from unmarked sites. Oil firms and truckers were urged to vet supply chains .
Grassroots leaders welcomed the idea. One community chair in Bayelsa said locals lose farms and fish traps when pipelines leak. He pleaded for more patrol boats and drones to watch waterways. He argued that many thieves feel safe under forest cover. He said local scouts could help guide soldiers to hidden sites.
Civil society groups call for tougher law enforcement. They point to weak prosecutions and low jail rates. Many suspects are freed on bail or pay small fines. They want courts to fast-track oil theft cases and impose stiffer penalties. They say a clear example would deter copycats.
Environmental NGOs also weigh in. They want military raids paired with cleanup plans. They note that burned pits and spilled oil need safe disposal. They propose training ex-bunkerer youths in oil spill response and ecosystem restoration. That, they say, would cut crime by offering jobs in cleanup crews.
The public debate turns to policy. Can better monitoring curb theft longer term? Some suggest sealing pipelines with internal sensors. Others call for satellite imagery to spot new pits. Industry experts say combining tech with local intel could cut losses by half.
The military says Operation Delta Safe will roll on. Major General Kangye assured the press that they will strike again. He said weekend patrols will target forest roads and creeks. He praised the navy and air force for drone feeds and river patrols. He vowed to deny thieves any break.
Residents in oil towns hope this shows change. They want steady fuel supply and fewer spills in their backyards. They want schools and clinics to work without disruption from acid rain or polluted streams. They want courts to punish ringleaders, not just foot soldiers who carry drums.
The week’s raids dealt a big blow to bunkering rings. Yet experts warn that thieves adapt fast. They move to new spots, dig deeper pits, or bribe insiders. Ending oil theft will take sustained effort. It needs smart data, strong laws, and shared resolve.
For now, the troops hold the upper hand. They have the firepower, boats, and orders to hunt down ovens and pits. They have shown they can smash networks worth hundreds of millions of naira in a week. The question is whether they can turn short raids into long-lasting peace for Nigeria’s oil heartland.
Only time will tell if this gains a lasting grip on bunkering gangs. But communities and traders say they welcome the crackdown. They pray for cleaner water, steady power, and fuel in their tanks—without paying black-market prices.
The story of last week’s bust shows what joint action can do. It also reminds that protecting Nigeria’s oil means guarding pipelines, stopping theft, and healing lands stripped by crude. This fight counters both revenue loss and environmental harm. It matters not just for profits but for lives across the Niger Delta.