NIGERIAN ARMY CRUSHES MAJOR OIL THEFT NETWORK, SHUTTERS 19 ILLEGAL REFINERIES IN STRATEGIC SWEEP
The Nigerian army has delivered a decisive blow to petroleum smuggling operations in the Niger Delta, shutting down 19 illegal crude oil refineries during a week-long operation that resulted in massive seizures and multiple arrests as part of intensified nationwide efforts to combat oil theft.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting deputy director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, announced that the targeted operation against petroleum smugglers, conducted between May 19 and 25, yielded the seizure of approximately 589,000 liters of refined petroleum products and the arrest of 20 suspects involved in the illegal operations.
The successful military campaign continues the army’s sustained offensive against crude oil theft networks that have cost Nigeria billions in lost revenue, with Senator Ned Nwoko reporting that oil theft and pipeline attacks alone caused the nation to lose over $3 billion in 2023.
Nigeria’s position as a global oil powerhouse, with proven reserves of about 37 billion barrels representing roughly 3.1 percent of global supply, makes it the world’s eighth-largest holder of petroleum reserves and sixth-largest exporter, making these theft operations particularly damaging to the national economy.
The Niger Delta region continues to experience significant challenges including sabotage, armed conflict, and kidnappings linked to oil-related unrest, often stemming from local community grievances over perceived exclusion from oil wealth distribution and concerns about environmental damage from petroleum operations.
The military’s ongoing campaign represents a comprehensive approach to securing Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure while addressing the complex socio-economic factors that contribute to illegal oil activities in the region.
Military officials emphasized that operations against crude oil theft networks will continue with intensified focus, as securing Nigeria’s petroleum resources remains a top priority for national economic stability and development.
Source: aa.com.tr