Nigerian Military Alarmed by Oil Thieves Using Chemicals in Niger Delta

The Nigerian military has raised concerns about oil thieves in the Niger Delta region using chemicals to process crude oil into adulterated petroleum products, posing a new danger. Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo highlighted the evolving tactics of criminals who now avoid openly burning crude oil but instead use chemical mixtures.

The military emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities to combat illegal refining. Thousands of illegal refineries scattered across difficult terrains remain a major challenge for security forces.