Military Destroys 53 Illegal Refineries, Arrests 81 in Niger Delta Operations

The Defence Headquarters has announced that troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed at least 53 illegal crude oil refining sites and arrested 81 suspects during sustained military operations across the Niger Delta in January. The disclosure was made on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.

According to Onoja, the troops responded to numerous distress calls linked to illegal oil refining, sea piracy and other criminal activities across the region. The operations led to the recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, while several illicit refining camps were dismantled.

He said further offensive actions were carried out in parts of Akwa Ibom and Delta states, where additional suspects were apprehended and weapons seized. As part of efforts to curb crude oil theft, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe conducted armed reconnaissance missions over Bakana and Abuloma communities, during which a large barge was spotted siphoning petroleum products and subsequently neutralised.

Onoja also disclosed that more than 80 militants surrendered to troops during the period, while eight Cameroonian nationals were rescued during joint patrols along the Bakassi waterways.

In the South-East, troops under Operation UDO KA sustained pressure on criminal elements across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. Several suspects were arrested, kidnapped victims were rescued, and weapons recovered during coordinated operations.

The military said recent security assessments indicate a noticeable reduction in crime across the South-East, attributing the improvement to sustained kinetic and non-kinetic engagements by security forces.

Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the armed forces to maintaining pressure on criminal networks nationwide, assuring Nigerians of continued professionalism, cooperation with other security agencies and determination to restore peace and stability across all regions.