How We Dismantled 283 Illegal Refineries, Says Audi

After three decades in uniform, including five years at the helm of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi has stepped down, declaring that the Corps under his leadership dealt decisive blows to oil theft and economic sabotage across Nigeria.

Speaking at his valedictory address, Audi revealed that no fewer than 283 illegal refineries were dismantled during his tenure, describing the operations as part of an intensified crackdown on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related crimes that have long drained the nation’s revenue and damaged its environment.

He said the Corps strengthened its operational capacity through intelligence-led enforcement, strategic deployments and collaboration with other security agencies.

According to him, the destruction of illegal refining sites was complemented by arrests, prosecutions and convictions of suspected economic saboteurs, sending a clear message that attacks on critical national assets would not be tolerated.

Illegal refineries — often makeshift facilities hidden in creeks and remote communities — have been blamed for massive crude losses, environmental pollution and fires.

Their operations not only undermine government earnings but also worsen insecurity in oil-producing regions. Audi maintained that disrupting these networks required persistence, improved surveillance and the commitment of personnel across commands nationwide.

Beyond the anti-oil theft campaign, Audi said the NSCDC expanded its mandate in protecting critical infrastructure, managing disaster response efforts and supporting humanitarian interventions. He noted that the Corps repositioned itself as a frontline agency in safeguarding national assets while responding to emerging internal security threats.

Reflecting on his 30-year career, Audi expressed gratitude to officers and men of the Corps, urging them to remain disciplined, professional and patriotic. He emphasized that the gains recorded in the fight against economic sabotage must be sustained and built upon by the incoming leadership.

Security analysts say his exit comes at a time when the battle against crude oil theft remains a top national priority, with authorities under pressure to boost oil production and stabilise revenues.

Whether the momentum recorded under Audi will be sustained now rests with his successor, as the Corps continues to confront one of the country’s most entrenched economic crimes.