Cites environmental devastation, says stolen crude business threatens livelihoods, food security
The Security and Economic Research Network (SERN), a civil society organisation, has called on residents of oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in its renewed campaign against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and illicit refining activities in the region.
The organisation warned that oil theft and illegal refining were not only depriving the country of revenue but also destroying the environment, threatening public health and undermining the livelihoods of communities whose natural resources should ordinarily guarantee their economic prosperity.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Morris Victor, SERN said the success of the military campaign under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, depended largely on the cooperation, vigilance and active participation of host communities.
It identified the pollution of rivers and groundwater, destruction of mangrove forests, contamination of farmlands and depletion of fish stocks as some of the devastating consequences of illegal oil activities in the Niger Delta.
According to the organisation, the environmental damage has far-reaching implications for food security, public health and the economic survival of fishing and farming communities.
Citing operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters on October 30, SERN disclosed that troops dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products in the South-South region during the period under review.
It also referenced figures released by the Nigerian Navy, which showed that more than 7.48 million litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products were recovered between November 2025 and November 2026. The Navy also deactivated 168 illegal refining sites, destroyed 363 dugout pits and arrested 259 suspects within the period.
The organisation said the figures underscored the scale of the criminal enterprise and the need for sustained military operations, effective intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between security agencies and host communities.
It urged traditional rulers, youth organisations, women groups, religious leaders and community development associations to discourage residents from collaborating with oil theft syndicates.
“Oil theft may appear profitable to those involved in the criminal enterprise, but the communities are paying a much higher price through polluted rivers, destroyed mangroves, damaged farmlands, declining fish stocks and the gradual destruction of their natural heritage,” the statement said.
SERN further called on residents to provide credible and timely intelligence to security agencies on suspicious movements of crude oil, illegal refining facilities, unauthorised pipelines and vessels suspected to be involved in oil theft.
While urging the Armed Forces to sustain intelligence-driven operations, the organisation stressed the need for professionalism, respect for human rights and the protection of innocent residents during security operations.
It also called on the Federal Government and relevant environmental agencies to intensify environmental clean-up and restoration programmes in affected communities, while providing alternative livelihood opportunities for youths vulnerable to recruitment into illegal oil activities.
The organisation maintained that the fight against crude oil theft should not be restricted to arrests, seizures and the destruction of illegal refining facilities, but must also address the environmental degradation and economic hardship that continue to affect oil-producing communities.
“Protecting the Niger Delta is a shared responsibility. The people must stand with the Armed Forces, not with criminal networks. The future of the region, its rivers, forests, farmlands, fishing communities and coming generations depends on the choices made today,” Victor said.
By Chuks Onyema
