Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have intensified
their campaign against crude oil theft and illegal refining in Nigeria’s
South-South region, delivering major setbacks to criminal networks responsible
for massive economic sabotage, according to a statement released on Friday, 20
February 2025 by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General
Michael Onoja.
In a series of successful operations during the
week, troops discovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites, dismantling
ovens, reservoirs, and sophisticated equipment used to process stolen crude
oil. Five suspected oil thieves and other perpetrators were arrested, while
assorted arms and ammunition were recovered, preventing further vandalism of
critical oil infrastructure and threats to local communities and security
personnel.
These decisive actions directly support
Operation DELTA SAFE’s core mandate to protect Nigeria’s oil economy and
safeguard vital national assets from bunkering syndicates that cause billions
in annual revenue losses.
In complementary raids in Isoko North LGA of
Delta State and Yakurr LGA of Cross River State, troops arrested three
additional criminals and seized substantial quantities of methamphetamine, commonly
known as “ICE” with an estimated street value exceeding Five Million Naira
(₦5,000,000). The recovery underscores the dangerous overlap between oil theft
networks and drug trafficking, highlighting the broader organized crime
ecosystem in the region.
According to Major General Onoja, these
sustained operations demonstrate the Nigerian Armed Forces’ unwavering resolve
and operational precision in tackling economic sabotage at its root. By
disrupting illicit revenue streams that fund criminality, troops are not only
protecting national resources but also fostering a safer environment for
legitimate economic activity in the Niger Delta. The professionalism and
vigilance of Operation DELTA SAFE continue to yield tangible gains,
contributing significantly to Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.