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In a first quarter campaign that has
significantly disrupted criminal exploitation of Nigeria's petroleum resources,
troops of Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled 101 illegal oil refining sites,
arrested 219 suspects, and recovered over 547,920 litres of petroleum products; including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK),
and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the South South region and adjoining
states.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of
Defence Media Operations, presenting the figures at Defence Headquarters on 31
March 2026, said the scale of recovery underscores the impact that sustained
military presence is having on criminal syndicates that have long preyed on
Nigeria's oil infrastructure.
In March 2026, troops recovered a total of
193,570 litres of petroleum products during the period, with key operations
including the interception of approximately 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil
in a wooden boat near Cool Beach, Bonny LGA of Rivers State on 27 February
2026, and the discovery and deactivation of multiple illegal refining sites in
Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State and Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
“Troops uncovered a sabotage attempt at a wellhead in
Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State, where explosives rigged for vandalization
were detected and safely neutralised.”
In a development highlighting the threat to
critical energy infrastructure, troops on 28 March 2026 uncovered and safely
neutralised explosives that had been rigged to destroy a wellhead in
Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State. Major General Onoja described the
foiling of this sabotage attempt as a critical intervention that protected
national assets and prevented a potentially catastrophic environmental and
economic incident.
Operations also targeted criminal
activities beyond oil theft. On 27 March 2026, troops operating in conjunction
with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a raid in
Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State, resulting in the arrest of 13 drug suspects and
the recovery of illicit substances and narcotics equipment. On the same date in
Etsako West LGA of Edo State, three suspected kidnappers were neutralised at
Egoro Forest, and three kidnapped victims were subsequently rescued in Aniocha
North LGA of Delta State on 16 March 2026.
On 28 March 2026, 58 illegal miners were
arrested in Akoko Edo LGA in a separate operation that significantly disrupted
unlicensed mining activity. Major General Onoja said the AFN remains committed
to protecting national resources and the communities that depend on them, and
that operations across the South South will continue at an intensified tempo.