Defence headquarters said that Troops of Operation code named DELTA SAFE have intensified their crackdown on crude oil theft and economy Sabatours as 18 illegal refining sites, 45 crude oil cooking ovens, and 37 storage tanks were deactivated and destroyed across the Niger Delta region within one week.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye gave the disclosure in a press statement on the successes achieved in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other form of criminalities between 15 and 22 May, 2025.
According to the statement, troops also uncovered 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 11 drums, and recovered a total of 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Additionally,51 suspects were arrested for involvement in crude oil theft and other related crimes. Recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and four vehicles.
“These operations are part of the armed forces’ commitment to eliminate criminal enterprises sabotaging the nation’s oil assets and economy,” General Kangye said. “The destruction of illegal refining infrastructure is not only about halting oil theft—it is about protecting the environment and livelihoods of law-abiding citizens in the Niger Delta.”
He added that troops also arrested seven suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State and eight vandals in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, who have all been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
”On 15 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operation arrested 7 suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State. Similarly, on 16 -18 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected vandals/criminals in Onelga, Degema and Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie and Ikot Abasi LGAs of Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action. “he stated
The Defence Headquarters urged local communities to support the ongoing efforts by providing credible information, emphasizing that tackling oil theft and economic sabotage remains a top national security priority.
He emphasized that the successes recorded within the period in focus can not be unconnected to the prompt credible and reliable information provided by the populace to the Nigerian Military and other relevant security agencies.
CRUDE OIL THEFT: Troops Arrest Over 50 Suspected Crude Oil Thieves, 18 Illegal Refineries Destroyed in Niger Delta Region
Defence headquarters said that Troops of Operation code named DELTA SAFE have intensified their crackdown on crude oil theft and economy Sabatours as 18 illegal refining sites, 45 crude oil cooking ovens, and 37 storage tanks were deactivated and destroyed across the Niger Delta region within one week.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye gave the disclosure in a press statement on the successes achieved in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other form of criminalities between 15 and 22 May, 2025.
According to the statement, troops also uncovered 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 11 drums, and recovered a total of 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Additionally,51 suspects were arrested for involvement in crude oil theft and other related crimes. Recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and four vehicles.
“These operations are part of the armed forces’ commitment to eliminate criminal enterprises sabotaging the nation’s oil assets and economy,” General Kangye said. “The destruction of illegal refining infrastructure is not only about halting oil theft—it is about protecting the environment and livelihoods of law-abiding citizens in the Niger Delta.”
He added that troops also arrested seven suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State and eight vandals in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, who have all been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
”On 15 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operation arrested 7 suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State. Similarly, on 16 -18 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected vandals/criminals in Onelga, Degema and Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie and Ikot Abasi LGAs of Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action. “he stated
The Defence Headquarters urged local communities to support the ongoing efforts by providing credible information, emphasizing that tackling oil theft and economic sabotage remains a top national security priority.
He emphasized that the successes recorded within the period in focus can not be unconnected to the prompt credible and reliable information provided by the populace to the Nigerian Military and other relevant security agencies.
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Defence headquarters said that Troops of Operation code named DELTA SAFE have intensified their crackdown on crude oil theft and economy Sabatours as 18 illegal refining sites, 45 crude oil cooking ovens, and 37 storage tanks were deactivated and destroyed across the Niger Delta region within one week.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye gave the disclosure in a press statement on the successes achieved in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other form of criminalities between 15 and 22 May, 2025.
According to the statement, troops also uncovered 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 11 drums, and recovered a total of 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Additionally,51 suspects were arrested for involvement in crude oil theft and other related crimes. Recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and four vehicles.
“These operations are part of the armed forces’ commitment to eliminate criminal enterprises sabotaging the nation’s oil assets and economy,” General Kangye said. “The destruction of illegal refining infrastructure is not only about halting oil theft—it is about protecting the environment and livelihoods of law-abiding citizens in the Niger Delta.”
He added that troops also arrested seven suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State and eight vandals in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, who have all been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
”On 15 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operation arrested 7 suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State. Similarly, on 16 -18 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected vandals/criminals in Onelga, Degema and Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie and Ikot Abasi LGAs of Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action. “he stated
The Defence Headquarters urged local communities to support the ongoing efforts by providing credible information, emphasizing that tackling oil theft and economic sabotage remains a top national security priority.
He emphasized that the successes recorded within the period in focus can not be unconnected to the prompt credible and reliable information provided by the populace to the Nigerian Military and other relevant security agencies.
LEAVE A REPLY
Defence headquarters said that Troops of Operation code named DELTA SAFE have intensified their crackdown on crude oil theft and economy Sabatours as 18 illegal refining sites, 45 crude oil cooking ovens, and 37 storage tanks were deactivated and destroyed across the Niger Delta region within one week.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye gave the disclosure in a press statement on the successes achieved in the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other form of criminalities between 15 and 22 May, 2025.
According to the statement, troops also uncovered 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 11 drums, and recovered a total of 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Additionally,51 suspects were arrested for involvement in crude oil theft and other related crimes. Recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and four vehicles.
“These operations are part of the armed forces’ commitment to eliminate criminal enterprises sabotaging the nation’s oil assets and economy,” General Kangye said. “The destruction of illegal refining infrastructure is not only about halting oil theft—it is about protecting the environment and livelihoods of law-abiding citizens in the Niger Delta.”
He added that troops also arrested seven suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State and eight vandals in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, who have all been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
”On 15 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operation arrested 7 suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State. Similarly, on 16 -18 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected vandals/criminals in Onelga, Degema and Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie and Ikot Abasi LGAs of Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action. “he stated
The Defence Headquarters urged local communities to support the ongoing efforts by providing credible information, emphasizing that tackling oil theft and economic sabotage remains a top national security priority.
He emphasized that the successes recorded within the period in focus can not be unconnected to the prompt credible and reliable information provided by the populace to the Nigerian Military and other relevant security agencies.