Crime

Nigerian Army Strengthens Crackdown on Oil Theft in Niger Delta

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 22nd, 2025.

Nigerian Army Strengthens Crackdown on Oil Theft in Niger Delta

In a determined effort to combat oil theft and protect critical infrastructure, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have ramped up operations targeting illegal refining and pipeline vandalism across the Niger Delta region.

The intensified military campaign, which spans four key states—Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom—has led to significant breakthroughs in dismantling illicit activities tied to the region’s petroleum industry. Security forces have been actively locating and destroying illegal refineries, intercepting stolen crude, and disrupting networks responsible for large-scale pipeline sabotage.

According to military sources, the operation reflects the Army’s commitment to restoring order and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy assets. The 6 Division, headquartered in Port Harcourt, has been at the forefront of these efforts, deploying troops and leveraging intelligence to strike at the heart of criminal operations threatening national economic stability.

The ongoing offensive is part of a broader strategy to reinforce security in the oil-producing region, deter environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and curtail the financial losses suffered by the country due to oil-related crimes.

Authorities have vowed to sustain the momentum of the operation, stressing that there will be no safe haven for those engaged in acts undermining Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.