Mariam Sanni
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that Operation Delta Safe theater has foiled oil theft worth over N28,800,720 million in the South-South Region.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
He explained that 24,801 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,250 litres of AGO and 850 litres of PMS were discovered.
He said that also discovered and destroyed 4 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 7 boats, 5 storage tanks and 8 illegal refining sites.
He added that 17 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
According to him, between 30 August – 1 September2025, troops on offensive operations, arrested 5 suspected criminals in Ahoada and Emohua LGAs of Rivers State as well as Ethiope East, Bomadi and sapale LGAs of Delta State.
The DDMO stated that troops recovered arms, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N1,702,100.00 from the criminals.
“In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Twenty Eight Million Eight Hundred Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira N28,800,720.00) only.
“The breakdown indicates; 24,801 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,250 litres of AGO and 850 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 4 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 7 boats, 5 storage tanks and 8 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 17 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
“Furthermore, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted operations in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, eliminating terrorists and recovering arms and terrorists
”During the encounters, 13 terrorists’ collaborators, informants, and gunrunners, as well as a drug peddler, were arrested. Ammunition, logistics items, illicit drugs, vehicles and motorcycles were also recovered from them, while some IEDs were safely detonated in Adamawa, Gwoza and Mobbar LGAs of the state,” he noted.
According to him, eight kidnapped victims were rescued in Borno State. Troops denied terrorists freedom of action in the region, conducting aggressive operations and recovering weapons, dismantling terrorist networks, and supporting the safe resettlement of displaced persons.
In the North West, the Director noted that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have conducted operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, and Kaduna States, killing and arresting terrorists, and rescuing kidnapped victims.
”During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and arrested 2 (two) suspected terrorist accomplices, while 8 (eight) kidnapped victims were rescued,” the Director explained
He explained that troops specifically eliminated some terrorists, arrested 23, and rescued six kidnapped victims in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara State, as well as Isa, Bingi, and Tureta LGAs of Sokoto State.
