Nigerian Troops Seize 5 Million Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State Raid
In a significant crackdown on oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, the Nigerian Army has successfully recovered approximately 5 million litres of stolen crude oil, with an estimated value running into billions of naira. Led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Maj.-Gen. Jamaal Abdussalam, troops orchestrated a strategic operation that uncovered a massive illegal refining site nestled within the dense forests of the Kom-Kom community in Oyigbo, Rivers State.
The operation, spurred by actionable intelligence, targeted illicit activities linked to oil thieves operating in the region. Maj.-Gen. Abdussalam, addressing reporters at the scene of the raid, underscored the gravity of the findings, noting that initial skepticism gave way to the discovery of extensive illegal bunkering operations upon arrival at the clandestine site.
The seizure represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and economic sabotage. Maj.-Gen. Abdussalam highlighted the scale of the operation, revealing that troops uncovered a network of illegal refineries equipped with over 15 boilers and nine reservoirs containing the pilfered crude oil slated for processing.
The operation also revealed the complicity of illicit actors, with the discovery of five large foreign (Cotonou) boats laden with hundreds of litres of stolen crude oil each along the Imo River. Despite concerted efforts to curb such activities, the persistence of oil theft underscores the need for sustained vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard Nigeria’s natural resources.
Maj.-Gen. Abdussalam reiterated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to combating illegal bunkering and pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks fueling these illicit activities. The raid serves as a stern warning to perpetrators, signaling the determination of security forces to uphold the rule of law and protect the nation’s economic interests.
