Environmental Impacts of Oil Thefts on Landuse/Landcover in the Niger Delta Region: A Case Study of Ahoada-East, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy, centered in the Niger Delta and dominated by extensive crude oil exploration and production activities, faces severe environmental and economic challenges due to oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and the growing menace of artisanal crude oil refining. This study examines the impacts of oil thefts and artisanal refining on land use land cover in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-South region, Nigeria from year 2002 and 2022 covering a twenty years’ period using geospatial techniques. The results indicate that agricultural land declined markedly from 61.60 km² in 2002 to 29.40 km² in 2022, representing a substantial reduction with significant agricultural and environmental implications. Bare soil, which was absent (0 km²) in 2002, expanded to over 10.3 km² by 2022, reflecting the extent of land degradation associated with oil theft and artisanal refining activities in the area. Similarly, degraded land increased from 0 km² in 2002 to 5.15 km² in 2022. Dense wetland vegetation decreased from 286.27 km² in 2002 to 219 km² in 2022, corresponding to a 16.59% decline over the twenty-year period. In contrast, settlement areas expanded considerably from approximately 52.82 km² in 2002 to over 138 km² in 2022, largely attributable to population growth. Water bodies also exhibited a slight reduction, decreasing from 5.56 km² to 4.2 km² over the same period, representing a 1.37% change. The results offer valuable insights consistent with similar studies in the region which point to increasing devastation of the ecosystems leading to the extinction of several species of plants, fishes, and animals. Agriculture and food security in the region are being threatened by the continuous pollution of the environment if stakeholders do not urgently take proactive and remedial measures.