The Nigerian Army has arrested 28 suspected oil thieves and impounded over 290,000 litres of illegally refined petrol during a series of coordinated operations in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement from the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the arrests were made by troops under Operation Delta Safe during raids in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta States aimed at tackling illegal oil refining and crude theft.
“Troops have continued to maintain pressure on criminal networks sabotaging national oil assets. Within the last week, we apprehended 28 suspects and recovered 290,000 litres of stolen petroleum products,” Buba said.
The army also destroyed several makeshift refineries, storage tanks, and pumping machines used for illicit operations. Buba added that the arrests represent progress in ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
Security analysts note that crude oil theft remains one of Nigeria’s biggest economic challenges, costing billions in revenue annually. The Federal Government has repeatedly vowed to clamp down on illegal refining and restore discipline in the oil-producing region.
The suspects are currently being interrogated, and investigations are underway to trace the financiers behind the network.
