The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related crimes in the first quarter of 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, a major general, disclosed this during a quarterly media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.
|
|
Mr Onoja said troops intensified operations across the South-south region and adjoining states to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
He said troops recovered more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene and premium motor spirit.
|
|
|
|---|
According to him, in March, troops recovered 193,570 litres of petroleum products and intercepted about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers.
“Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers, rescued victims and dismantled multiple illegal refining sites in Rivers and Imo states.
READ ALSO: Nigerian military kills over 100 terrorists, notorious ISWAP commander
“Additionally, troops arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo and conducted joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leading to the arrest of drug suspects,” he said.
Stay Ahead with Premium Times
Follow us on Google News and never miss breaking stories, investigations, and in-depth reporting.
Add as a preferred source on Google
Mr Onoja said troops also disrupted illegal oil activities in Akwa Ibom and uncovered a sabotage attempt at a wellhead, where explosives were safely neutralised.
He added that the operations had significantly degraded the capacity of criminal networks involved in oil theft in the region.
The defence spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining the offensive against economic sabotage and criminality in the Niger Delta.
(NAN)
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
![French President, Emmanuel Macron. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Facebook page of Emmanuel Macron]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2022/03/104290272_2785474411685127_8410549002901324824_n-e1703785197754.jpg?fit=1786%2C1259&ssl=1)
