The Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, has secured the Adibawa Oil Well from crude oil thieves, marking a major boost in ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The military said the success followed sustained patrols and aggressive anti–oil bunkering operations that forced criminal elements to abandon illegal refining activities around the wellhead.
Speaking during a media interaction with Defence Correspondents at the Adibawa wellhead, the Acting Garrison Commander of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Major Hassan Mubarak Mohammed, said arrangements had been concluded with Reconizer Oil Company to establish a 24-hour surveillance post in the area.
According to him, the criminals previously operated an illegal refining camp near the wellhead, tapping crude oil directly from the source. He noted that remnants of the camp were still visible following the military’s takeover.
Major Mohammed explained that the difficult terrain—largely swampy and waterlogged—had made the area attractive to oil thieves. However, persistent military pressure compelled them to retreat deep into the forest.
He disclosed that the military has adopted a new strategy focused on permanent deployment rather than periodic raids. A field assessment conducted last month paved the way for the construction of troop accommodations to support sustained operations.
The planned deployment, he said, would be amphibious in nature. During the dry season, troops would operate mainly on land, while the rainy season would involve the use of houseboats and gunboats to dominate flooded waterways.
The Adibawa Oil Well, described as one of the most productive in the region, had long been vulnerable due to its remote location. The military said the new permanent presence would close existing security gaps and deny criminals access to the facility.
Major Mohammed stressed that the static base would also serve as a launchpad for continuous operations aimed at eliminating illegal refining activities in the surrounding areas.
By Linus Aleke, Abuja
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