Troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 41 illegal refining sites and foiled crude oil theft valued at more than N112.1 million in the Niger Delta in September 2025.
Director of Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, stressing that the military remains relentless in its campaign against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage.
Kangye also said that no fewer than 450 terrorists were arrested, while 180 kidnap victims were rescued during security operations conducted across the country in the month.
He added that 39 terrorists surrendered to troops, even as assorted weapons and ammunition were recovered from the insurgents during the September onslaught.
According to him, the troops sustained aggressive patrols and air reconnaissance across the region, which led to the recovery of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,900 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and 1,475 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Kangye revealed that troops also destroyed 21 cooking ovens, nine dugout pits, 11 storage tanks and seven boats, while several suspects involved in the illicit trade were arrested.
He further explained that multiple oil theft networks were dismantled, with security forces seizing pumping machines, hoses and generators used for large-scale bunkering.
The operations, he said, were carried out in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States in collaboration with other security agencies.
Reaffirming the military’s resolve, the defence spokesman declared that the onslaught against crude oil theft would continue, noting its direct impact on Nigeria’s economy and environmental safety.
Kangye also appealed to host communities for cooperation through timely information to help expose and disrupt oil theft networks in their areas.
“Our operations will continue to target the sources, storage facilities, and transportation channels used by oil thieves until these criminal enterprises are completely dismantled,” he said.