The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops from Operation DELTA SAFE successfully dismantled 101 illegal refining operations and apprehended 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related offenses during the first quarter of 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, made this known during a quarterly media briefing held in Abuja on a Tuesday.
He noted that military operations have been intensified throughout the South- south region and neighboring states to combat oil theft, pipeline sabotage, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
In these operations, the troops recovered more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, which included crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene, and premium motor spirit.
During March, the troops reported recovering 193,570 litres of petroleum products and intercepted approximately 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
Onoja added that the forces neutralized suspected kidnappers, rescued victims, and dismantled numerous illegal refining operations in both Rivers and Imo States.
The troops were also responsible for the arrest of suspected kidnappers in Edo State, and they executed joint operations alongside the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), resulting in additional arrests of drug-related suspects.
Additionally, activities aimed at disrupting illegal oil operations in Akwa Ibom were successful, with one instance involving the thwarting of an attempted sabotage at a wellhead, where explosives were safely dismantled.
The military spokesperson emphasized that such operations have significantly undermined the capabilities of criminal networks involved in oil theft across the region. He reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to continue their offensive stance against economic sabotage and criminality taking place within the Niger Delta region.
(NAN)
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