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: 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. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, is a controversial crossdresser who has reportedly been arrested by EFCC agents. Shortly after revealing his departure from Nigeria, the social media star announced his arrest on his Instagram feed on Thursday night. According to reports, he was arrested by anti-graft agency investigators while traveling to London via Lagos’s Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Bobrisky said he was seriously hurt in the assault and appealed for Nigerians’ assistance in the late-night message. “The EFCC just arrested me; Nigerians are helping me.” I’m seriously hurt,” he wrote. The brother of the former governor of Ekiti State, social commentator Isaac Fayose, posted a picture of himself and Bobrisky boarding the same airplane earlier on Thursday. London. Bobrisky was later taken from the airplane, which was allegedly headed to London, by airport officials, according to a video that has gone viral online. This occurs days after Nigerian Immigration allegedly caught the crossdresser trying to leave the country on October 22 at the Sème frontier. After being found guilty of naira abuse in April, Bobrisky’s suffering came after an audio tape made public by critic VeryDarkMan claimed that the transvestite had paid high-ranking jail officials to obtain a private prison outside of Kirikiri prison. Additionally, according to the leaked recording, Bobrisky used the assistance of well-known singer Falz and his father, legal luminary Femi Falana, to pay some EFCC officers to dismiss money laundering allegations against him. READ ALSO: 23 Persons Killed In Fresh Herdsmen Attacks On Benue Community However, Bobrisky refuted these allegations, saying he was not accountable for the audio leak and asked the Falanas to blame VeryDarkMan instead. We Love to have you back, Kindly Subscribe to our NewsLetter
