Troops dismantle 18 illegal refineries, recover 250,500 litres of stolen oil
The military dismantled 18 illegal refineries and recovered over 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in July, while also neutralising 102 terrorists and rescuing 393 kidnap victims nationwide.
The Nigerian Armed Forces intensified their crackdown on crude oil theft in the Niger Delta in July, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products. The sustained operations under Operation Delta Safe targeted illegal refineries, crude oil theft syndicates and pipeline vandals across Rivers State.
In a significant operation on July 4, troops dismantled a large illegal refinery in the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis of Ahoada West Local Government Area, shutting down three illegal refining sites and recovering stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Subsequent operations on July 5 and 7 destroyed more refineries in the Olashi National Forest. Between July 11 and 22, troops discovered additional illegal refining camps near Ogbogolo community, while on July 19 and 22, soldiers found five illegal oil processing plants in Egboama and Ogbogolo and seized about 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 2,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Okrika.
Troops also intercepted six vehicles conveying suspected stolen crude oil around the Eleme Refinery on July 22 and arrested five suspects. Another operation on July 24 intercepted about 15,500 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products along the Okrika waterways. In a separate engagement, troops rescued 37 traders and crew members after engaging sea pirates along the Oron-Ibaka waterways in Akwa Ibom State.
Beyond the Niger Delta, the military’s July operations yielded significant results across all theatres. In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnapped victims and recorded the surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members. One of the biggest successes came on July 12, when troops repelled an attack in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, killing Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief. The military also announced the surrender of a senior ISWAP finance operative, who handed over an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, cash and a motorcycle.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma accounted for the highest number of rescues, with 191 victims freed from terrorist camps and kidnapping gangs operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states. Among the major rescues was the release of 48 abducted civilians following military operations in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State. Troops also rescued 10 of 13 passengers abducted after terrorists attacked a commercial bus along the Kano-Kaduna highway near Falgore Forest. Between July 28 and 29, troops rescued 59 civilians, including the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr Aminu Yusuf, members of his family, a prominent businessman, and several residents during separate operations in Zamfara and Sokoto states.
Across the North-Central, troops under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke arrested dozens of suspected kidnappers, militia members, gunrunners and terrorist collaborators. Notable breakthroughs included the killing of notorious terrorist kingpin Puuga in Benue State and the destruction of a hideout belonging to another wanted terrorist identified as Full Fire. Troops also arrested an ammunition courier along the Keffi-Abuja highway with 60 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and dismantled arms trafficking networks in Niger State.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested 26 suspects linked to separatist violence, kidnapping and illegal arms trafficking while rescuing 10 civilians. Troops also destroyed an illegal bunkering site containing about 70 refining pits in Abia State.
The Air Component supported ground operations with precision strikes. Air strikes on July 25 successfully targeted advancing terrorists around the Kontagora axis of Niger State, following intelligence surveillance missions that confirmed hostile movements.
This mirrors the 2022 military offensives in the Niger Delta, which also targeted illegal refining and crude theft. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a military campaign that disrupts operations but struggles to address the economic incentives driving the theft.
The winners: the Nigerian military, which has demonstrated its capacity to disrupt criminal networks; and the Nigerian economy, which gains from reduced oil theft. The losers: the oil thieves and their financiers, who have lost infrastructure and product; and the communities that depend on illegal refining for their livelihoods, who face economic hardship without alternative sources of income.
Bottom Line: Troops dismantled 18 illegal refineries and recovered 250,500 litres of stolen oil in July. The military is winning battles against oil thieves. The war against economic sabotage is far from over.