Troops under Operation Delta Safe dismantled 27 illegal refining sites in May 2025 as part of their ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and criminality in the Niger Delta region.
This was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye.
In the statement, Kangye disclosed that the troops also prevented oil theft valued at more than N31.4 million.
Among the seized items were 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 2,700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and 1,240 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Other recovered materials included outboard engines, pipes, pumping and drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and nine vehicles.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta,” Kangye stated.
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He further noted that troops uncovered and destroyed 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 34 dugout pits, 13 boats, one barge, one tug boat, 40 storage tanks, and nine drums during the operations.
Additionally, 27 suspected oil thieves and other criminal elements were arrested, and various arms and ammunition were recovered.
Kangye also highlighted that troops carried out anti-kidnapping and anti-crime operations in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State on June 1.
These led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of weapons, mobile phones, laptops, television sets, and a vehicle.
He added that 13 more suspected vandals and criminals were apprehended in coordinated operations across Sapele, Aniocha North, and Ugheli LGAs of Delta State, as well as Degema in Rivers and Ekeremor in Bayelsa.
