The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that troops under Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects linked to crude oil theft and related crimes during the first quarter of 2026, as part of intensified military operations across the Niger Delta region.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known during a quarterly media briefing in Abuja, where he outlined the scale of activities carried out by troops in the South-South and adjoining states in a sustained effort to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
According to him, the operations led to the recovery of more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene and premium motor spirit, indicating the extent of illegal refining and distribution networks operating within the region.
He further disclosed that in the month of March alone, troops recovered 193,570 litres of petroleum products and intercepted about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers State, highlighting the continued concentration of illegal oil activities in the area.
Onoja said military operations during the period also resulted in the neutralisation of suspected kidnappers, the rescue of abducted victims and the dismantling of several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Imo states. He added that troops carried out arrests of suspected kidnappers in Edo State while also collaborating with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in joint operations that led to the arrest of drug-related suspects.
He noted that troops extended their operations to Akwa Ibom State, where illegal oil activities were disrupted, and also uncovered a sabotage attempt at a wellhead. According to him, explosives discovered at the site were successfully neutralised, preventing potential damage to critical oil infrastructure.
The defence spokesman stated that the sustained operations have significantly weakened the operational capacity of criminal networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining across the Niger Delta, stressing that the Armed Forces remain committed to maintaining pressure on such groups.
He reiterated that the military would continue its offensive against economic sabotage and criminality in the region, describing the protection of national assets and the restoration of stability in oil-producing communities as a top priority.
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