The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified the fight against oil theft and related crimes, thwarting crude oil theft and illegal refining operations valued at N1,312,575,085.00 within the month of July 2025.
This was disclosed during a press briefing held in Abuja, where the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, gave a detailed update on nationwide operations on Friday.
According to General Kangye, troops deployed under Operation DELTA SAFE, which is focused on curbing oil-related criminality in the South-South region, intensified their offensive throughout July.
He reported that troops discovered and seized 974,976 litres of stolen crude oil, 269,257 litres of illegally refined AGO (diesel), 1,759 litres of DPK (kerosene), and 3,447 litres of PMS (petrol) during the month.
Alongside these recoveries, the military also destroyed 126 crude oil cooking ovens, 107 dugout pits, 39 boats, 83 storage tanks, 88 drums, 35 vehicles, and 73 illegal refining sites used for the processing and storage of the stolen products.
A total of 285 suspects were arrested in connection with these oil theft operations and other related crimes.
General Kangye noted that additional raids in Delta and Rivers States led to the recovery of another 230,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 8,320 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 900 litres of AGO.
“In these operations, troops also destroyed 11 crude oil cooking ovens, 7 dugout pits, 4 boats, 7 storage tanks, 17 drums, and 6 additional illegal refining sites.
“Equipment such as pumping machines, drilling machines, motorcycles, tricycles, and mobile phones were recovered, along with 3 vehicles and assorted arms, ammunition, and explosives,” he mentioned.
Beyond the Niger Delta, the Nigerian military intensified operations across other regions.
According to Kangye, in the North-East theatre, troops under Operation HADIN KAI arrested 8 terrorists, rescued 2 kidnapped victims, and neutralized several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during combat engagements in Marte, Alau Dam, Limankara, and Monguno.
“A significant development occurred with the surrender of 151 terrorists and their family members, including a commander named Ibn Ali.
“Notably, terrorists’ leaders such as Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar were eliminated during air and ground operations,” he added.
Troops also recovered N134,420.00 in cash and safely detonated multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Similarly, in the North-West, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops killed and arrested several terrorists across Anka, Bakura, Maradun, and Tsafe in Zamfara State; Sabuwa and Faskari in Katsina State; and Arewa in Kebbi State.
The operations, according to Musa, led to the arrest of 9 suspects and the rescue of 4 kidnapped victims, while another operation in Sokoto and Kebbi States resulted in the elimination of 4 terrorists and the rescue of 2 hostages.
The Armed Forces also reported that in the North-Central zone, troops under Operation SAFE HAVEN and Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted multiple raids across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Bauchi, and the Federal Capital Territory.
It noted that during these operations, 3 criminals were arrested, 7 kidnapped victims rescued, and the notorious extremist Dayabu Idris apprehended along with 4 others.
“Troops operating in Benue State also arrested 13 criminals and rescued 3 kidnap victims during offensives in areas such as Guma and Katsina-Ala. Further operations in Taraba and Nasarawa States led to the arrest of 4 additional criminals, with weapons and ammunition recovered,” it added.
It further noted that in the South-East, troops under Operation UDO KA maintained a strong offensive posture, arresting 2 IPOB/ESN members, one of whom attempted to escape and was fatally neutralized in Enugu State.
“In separate operations, 6 other suspects were arrested in Igbo Eze North (Enugu), Ideato North and Okigwe (Imo), and Calabar South (Cross River), with weapons and contraband recovered.
“Overall, during the month of July, the Armed Forces arrested a total of 578 suspects, including terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves, gunrunners, cultists, and drug peddlers.
“They also rescued 134 kidnapped victims and recorded the voluntary surrender of 151 terrorists, in addition to conducting multiple successful airstrikes in strategic locations across Niger, Zamfara, and Kebbi States,” Musa stated.
All operations, according to military authorities, are executed in compliance with international humanitarian law, the rules of engagement, and the Nigerian military’s code of conduct.
Speaking during the briefing, the Defence Headquarters reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s economic lifelines, particularly its crude oil assets, which remain under constant threat from criminal syndicates.
Kangye emphasized that these operations are not only critical to securing lives and property but also central to safeguarding national sovereignty and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The Nigerian military also called on citizens to support the Armed Forces through timely intelligence sharing and cooperation.
