WorldStage Newsonline– Troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta, dismantling over 570 illegal refinery sites and seizing millions of litres of stolen crude and petroleum products.
Rear Admiral John Okeke Magudu, Commander OPDS who disclosed this during a media tour to OPDS at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State highlighted operations with Joint Task Force (JTF) with personnel from 12 security agencies.
He said the operations led to the arrest of 681 suspects, destruction of 918 storage facilities and 194 large wooden boats used for illegal bunkering.
According to him, about 3.58 million litres of crude oil and over 1.7 million litres of illegally refined petroleum products, including diesel, petrol, and kerosene, were recovered between January and May.
Represented by Commodore Patrick Meteke, he also confirmed the arrest of 71 tanker trucks used in conveying illegally refined products, saying many of the suspects had been charged to court, while others are still undergoing trial.
In a bid to ensure maritime safety, the commander explained that the JTF also destroyed at least 13 militant and sea robber camps within its Joint Operations Area, which covers nine oil-producing states including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and parts of Ondo, Edo, and Akwa Ibom.
He noted that the pirate and sea robbery activities in the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian waters had reduced to “near zero” due to sustained operations.
He added that, a total of 653 illegal firearms were recovered from criminal elements during intelligence-led operations across the region.
He noted that these successes had helped push Nigeria’s crude oil output from 1.2 million barrels per day in June 2024 to about 1.85 million barrels per day as of May 2025, thereby boosting national revenue and ensuring stability in pipeline operations.
The kinetic operation conducted by the JTF includes protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations, clearance of militants’/sea robbers’ camps, anti-kidnapping/anti-smuggling operations and air operations.
Anti-Crude Oil Theft Operations
He said, “The anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) efforts of the JF during the period in consideration led to the demobilization of about 570 illegal oil refining sites (each of which contains many camps), over 918 storage facilities and 194 large wooden boats, among others.
“Also, 71 tanker trucks/vehicles engaged in conveying illegally refined products were arrested and handled appropriately.
“Additionally, about 3,582,893 litres of crude oil and 1,565,318 litres of illegally refined AGO as well as about 55,635 litres of DPK and 91,760 litres of PMS were denied the criminals. In the process of conducting these operations, 681 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes.
“The suspects and exhibits were handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action. While some of the arrested suspects were convicted, others are still undergoing trials in various courts of law.
“Average terminal availability on key pipelines like the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP), and Trans Escravos Pipeline (TEP) has also improved to over 95 per cent, according to JTF figures, he said.
Community Conflicts Resolved Peacefully
He said progress was recorded in non-kinetic efforts, with peaceful resolution of 102 disputes between host communities and oil companies such as Chevron, SEEPCO, Aiteo, NECONDE, and NAOC. These disputes were mainly related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations.
Speaking on the purpose of the tour, the Team Leader Commander Godwin Egbunu, underscored the need for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to project the successes recorded in the ongoing operations across the country.
He attributed the ongoing assessment tours of operational theatres to the commitment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS’), General Christopher Musa, to a safer and more secure nation.
