The Armed Forces of Nigeria says troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have intensified the war against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during the second quarter of 2026.
Speaking during the Defence Headquarters’ operational briefing on Wednesday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and arrested 84 suspects involved in economic sabotage across the Niger Delta.
He said during June alone, troops destroyed seven illegal refining sites, arrested 53 suspects and recovered over 308,515 litres of illegally refined petroleum products.
According to him, security forces uncovered illegal bunkering facilities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, intercepting trucks, boats and storage facilities containing thousands of litres of stolen crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit.
Among the major interceptions were 103,500 litres of illegally refined AGO at APS Limited Jetty in Rivers State, 63,290 litres along the Orashi Forest corridor, and 45,000 litres intercepted on the Itu-Calabar Road in Akwa Ibom State.
The Defence Headquarters said the sustained operations have dealt a significant blow to organised oil theft syndicates and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.
