Defence Headquarters says intensified Niger Delta operations recovered over 547,000 litres of stolen petroleum products…….
Nigeria’s military has ramped up its crackdown on crude oil theft, dismantling 101 illegal refining sites and arresting 219 suspects in the first quarter of 2026.
The Defence Headquarters Nigeria (DHQ) disclosed the figures during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the briefing, Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said troops under Operation DELTA SAFE intensified coordinated operations across the South-South region and neighbouring states.
According to him, the operations led to the recovery of more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene, and premium motor spirit.
He noted that Rivers State recorded a significant share of the seizures in March alone, with troops recovering 193,570 litres of refined products and intercepting about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Beyond targeting illegal refineries, the military also carried out broader security operations. These included neutralising suspected kidnappers, rescuing victims, and dismantling criminal networks operating in parts of Rivers and Imo states.
Onoja added that troops arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo State and conducted joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leading to the arrest of drug suspects.
In Akwa Ibom, troops disrupted illegal oil activities and uncovered an attempted sabotage at a wellhead, where explosives were successfully detected and neutralised.
The DHQ said the latest figures reflect a sustained push by the Armed Forces to combat oil theft and related crimes, which have long undermined Nigeria’s economy and energy sector.
Recent operations by the Nigerian Navy further underscore the scale of the crackdown. In multiple raids across Rivers State in March, naval personnel intercepted tens of thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products and dismantled several illegal refining sites, particularly in areas such as Bonny and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
Despite these gains, illegal refining remains a persistent challenge in the Niger Delta.
Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) shows that crude oil theft has cost Nigeria billions of dollars over the years. The country recorded losses of 37.6 million barrels in 2021, which declined to 20.9 million barrels in 2022 and further dropped in subsequent years, though the problem has not been fully eliminated.
Between January and July 2025 alone, losses still stood at about 2.04 million barrels, highlighting the continued scale of the issue.
Authorities say the intensified military operations are part of a broader strategy to protect critical oil infrastructure, boost production, and reduce revenue leakages.
While the latest figures suggest progress, the battle against oil theft remains ongoing, with security agencies under pressure to sustain momentum and deliver long-term results in one of Nigeria’s most critical economic sectors.
