CSP Omar John Sini, Head of Investigation of the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Products Theft and sundry energy crimes, has led security operatives in the destruction of a major illegal refinery in the Bonny area of Rivers State.
The facility, located around a creek known as “Promise Land,” was reportedly being prepared for crude oil theft through an illegal connection to an oil pipeline in the area.
Acting on intelligence from the Joint Intelligence Monitoring Centre (JIMC), investigators and naval personnel moved into the area and uncovered the facility before the planned crude oil theft operation could commence.
Security authorities described the illegal refinery as one of the biggest identified in recent times.
The destruction was carried out pursuant to a court order obtained under Suit No. FHC/PH/MISC/494/2026.
Briefing journalists after the operation, the security team said the action formed part of the ongoing crackdown on crude oil theft and other crimes threatening Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
CSP Omar John Sini said the operation was the product of intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies involved in the fight against oil theft.
The SPT, he explained, was created by the Federal Government to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of crimes within the hydrocarbon value chain.
The team comprises investigators from the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, DSS, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy, alongside lawyers from the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Sini disclosed that the SPT had filed 166 cases since its establishment, with 57 cases concluded, resulting in the conviction of 137 persons.
He said the combined efforts of security agencies had contributed to a reduction in illicit activities in the oil sector and an increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production, which he put at between 1.7 million and 1.8 million barrels per day.
The officer also called for tougher punishment for crude oil thieves, arguing that stronger sentences would make the illegal business less attractive.
He said efforts were being made through the Office of the National Security Adviser to amend relevant laws and close loopholes that could result in offenders receiving relatively short prison terms.
According to him, provisions such as “without the option of fine” and clearly defined minimum jail terms would strengthen the prosecution of oil thieves and serve as a stronger deterrent.
He maintained that the fight against crude oil theft was critical to protecting government revenue and ensuring resources were available for security, infrastructure, welfare and other obligations to Nigerians.
WATCH VIDEO
A video showing the operation involving CSP Omar John Sini and security personnel can be watched by clicking here.
