Crude oil theft remains a significant issue in Nigeria, with security operatives—who are supposed to prevent the crime—reportedly facilitating and profiting from the illegal trade. Investigations reveal that oil thieves pay levies to build refining camps and receive protection, while armed personnel escort stolen crude shipments under the cover of night. Despite the efforts of security firms like Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), oil theft continues due to deep-rooted corruption within the system.
Security Forces Enabling Oil Bunkering
Leaked Intelligence and Bribery
Former oil bunkerers have exposed how some security personnel, including military officers, facilitate and profit from crude oil theft. These officials not only accept bribes to protect illegal operations but also leak intelligence to oil thieves, warning them of impending raids.
According to a former oil bunkerer in Delta State, Fumilayo:
“The Navy coordinated our business from the start. We paid them before setting up refining camps and for every boatload of crude we moved. If you don’t settle them, they will destroy your camp.”
Some of these illegal camps are reportedly owned by both serving and retired military officers who employ skilled artisans and locals to refine stolen crude.
Oil Theft Routes and Security Involvement
Edo State: Midnight Escorts for Oil Smugglers
In Edo State, armed personnel reportedly escort stolen crude shipments through oil palm plantations to avoid detection. A former insider disclosed:
“They disguised petroleum product movements as regular plantation transport. This ensured safe passage after negotiations with security officers.”
The Gelegele–Ofunama axis is a well-known smuggling route where oil thieves transport diesel in drums, jerricans, and specially designed containers between 1 AM and 3 AM. Local vigilante groups are also sometimes compromised to allow free passage.
Akwa Ibom: Settling Security Commanders
An ex-agitator in Akwa Ibom revealed two primary methods of crude oil theft:
- Small-scale theft in swamp fields, where crude is siphoned into wooden boats and transported to illegal refineries.
- Large-scale operations where crude is loaded onto vessels destined for other African countries or international black markets.
He explained:
“To operate freely, you must settle security commanders. These commanders control access to key locations, and without their approval, your activities are at risk.”
Bunkerers often pay over ₦100,000 in tolls at various security checkpoints along river routes.
Insider Leaks and Protection for Oil Thieves
Nimi Brador, a former supervisor of an illegal refining camp in Rivers and Bayelsa, stated that local community informants and security operatives acted as spies for oil thieves.
“Before the military arrived, we would be warned by insiders. Some security officials also owned illegal refining camps.”
TSSNL operatives investigating these cases confirm that high-ranking security officials frequently obstruct crackdowns.
Security Agencies’ Crackdown on Oil Theft
Despite these deep-rooted networks, the Nigerian military and security agencies have intensified efforts to dismantle illegal refining sites. In recent operations across Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, they:
✅ Dismantled 13 illegal bunkering hubs
✅ Seized 300,000 liters of stolen crude
✅ Arrested 15 oil thieves
✅ Destroyed over 150 makeshift refining ovens
Major Arrests and Recoveries
🔹 Edo State: 252,000 liters of stolen crude oil recovered in Ugo Community.
🔹 Delta State: A 30,000-liter tanker siphoning crude intercepted.
🔹 Rivers State: Multiple refining sites dismantled along the Imo River.
🔹 Akwa Ibom: Over 30 polythene bags of illegally refined diesel seized.
The fight against oil theft is ongoing, but the involvement of security operatives in the crime raises concerns about the effectiveness of these crackdowns.
The Road Ahead: Curbing Oil Theft in Nigeria
Stakeholders believe that organizations like TSSNL have significantly reduced oil theft. However, more needs to be done to eliminate corruption within security agencies.
✅ Stricter monitoring of security personnel
✅ Deployment of independent security agencies for oil facility protection
✅ Stronger legal action against compromised officials
The next report will explore how the Federal Government can combat oil theft through collaborative efforts with Niger Delta leaders and security agencies.
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