Nigerian army destroys illegal oil refineries in Niger Delta crackdown
The Nigerian army says it has shut down 19 illegal oil refineries in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to stop fuel theft and protect the country’s oil industry.
The raids took place between May 19 and 25 across the oil-rich region in southern Nigeria.
Around 589,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products were seized, and 20 people were arrested, according to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, a military spokesperson.
He said the operation is part of a wider push to tackle crude oil theft, which continues to hurt Nigeria’s economy and security.
The country lost more than $3 billion in 2023 due to stolen oil and damage to pipelines, according to Nigerian officials.
The army said it would continue its operations to protect national resources and ensure that oil benefits the country as a whole.
