Nigeria has launched an aggressive campaign to curb rampant oil theft in the Niger Delta region, aiming to revitalize its Crude Oil sector and meet its production target of 3 million barrels per day by 2025.
The government has deployed additional military resources under Operation Delta Sanity (OPDS), including advanced surveillance drones, armed patrols, and attack helicopters.
The initiative comes as Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, struggles with declining revenue due to illegal crude oil siphoning. Authorities estimate that the country loses billions of dollars annually from oil theft, which also hampers foreign investment and environmental sustainability in the region.
According to military officials, the operation focuses on dismantling illegal refineries, arresting perpetrators, and enhancing surveillance across critical oil infrastructure. Local communities have also supported intelligence gathering and reporting suspicious activities.
Critics argue that the government must address the root causes of crude oil theft, including poverty, unemployment, and poor governance, to achieve long-term results. Environmental groups have urged the government to ensure that the operations do not harm local ecosystems or communities.
The crackdown has already led to the seizure of several vessels and the arrest of suspects involved in crude oil illegal activities. With rising oil prices globally, the success of this operation is seen as critical for Nigeria’s economic recovery and its ability to fund public services.
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cc: Reuters
