The Defence Headquarters has reported significant achievements by troops of Operation Delta Safe in combating illegal refining activities and oil theft in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. According to Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, troops discovered and destroyed a total of 43 illegal refining sites over the past week. Additionally, they apprehended 32 suspected oil thieves involved in these activities.
In their operations, the troops recovered substantial quantities of stolen products, including 728,360 litres of stolen crude oil, 143,450 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,100 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 18,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). They also dismantled 29 dugout pits, 22 boats, and 26 storage tanks used by the illegal refiners.
Furthermore, the operation led to the recovery of various items used in the illicit activities, such as 13 weapons, 442 assorted ammunitions, 66 cooking ovens, and eight vehicles. The troops conducted raid operations that resulted in the apprehension of violent extremists and cultists across several local government areas including Uruan and Ovia North-East in Akwa Ibom and Edo states, and Onelga and Nembe in Rivers and Bayelsa states.
These efforts underline the ongoing commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to curb criminal activities in the Niger Delta region, particularly those related to oil theft and illegal refining, which have significant environmental and economic implications for the country.