Military destroys 101 illegal oil sites, arrests 219 in Q1 2026
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related crimes in the first quarter of 2026, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Tuesday. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed during a quarterly media briefing in Abuja that troops intensified operations across the South-south region and adjoining states. They recovered over 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene and premium motor spirit. In March alone, troops recovered 193,570 litres in Rivers and intercepted about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil there. They also neutralised suspected kidnappers, rescued victims, dismantled multiple illegal refining sites in Rivers and Imo states, arrested kidnappers in Edo, conducted joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) leading to drug arrests, disrupted illegal oil activities in Akwa Ibom, and safely neutralised explosives in a sabotage attempt at a wellhead.
Oil theft and pipeline vandalism cost Nigeria billions in revenue annually and contribute to fuel scarcity and high prices. Kidnapping and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta threaten security and deter investment in the region. These operations aim to protect critical oil infrastructure, reduce economic sabotage, and improve safety for communities and oil operations. Success could lead to a more stable oil sector, potentially easing fuel prices and boosting economic confidence.
The DHQ reaffirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to sustaining the offensive against economic sabotage and criminality in the Niger Delta. With these gains, will reduced oil theft translate to lower fuel prices at pumps? And how can residents in oil-producing communities help sustain these gains by providing intelligence on illegal operations without putting themselves at risk?