Armed Forces of Nigeria have intercepted about 51,000 litres of stolen crude oil and dismantled several illegal refining facilities in the Niger Delta as security forces intensified operations against crude oil theft and other criminal activities across the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the military disclosed the development during its weekly operational briefing covering activities carried out between February 28 and March 6, 2026. The briefing highlighted the outcome of ongoing operations targeting oil thieves, terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups across different regions of Nigeria.
Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said troops operating in the South-South under Operation Delta Safe carried out several raids against networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining. According to him, security forces discovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites during the operations.
He explained that troops also dismantled equipment used for illicit refining activities, including drum ovens, cooling systems, receivers, and illegal pipeline connections used to siphon crude oil from pipelines. Seven suspects believed to be involved in crude oil theft and related offences were arrested, while weapons and other materials linked to the activities were recovered.
“In the course of the operations, troops intercepted significant quantities of stolen crude and refined petroleum products,” he said.
“In one of the incidents, soldiers destroyed two illegal refining sites located in Abessa Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State,” he added.
Onoja said troops also intercepted a wooden boat carrying about 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil near Cool Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. On the same day, soldiers recovered 16 sacks containing approximately 960 litres of illegally refined petroleum products along the Omoku–Ahoada road in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Further operations carried out on March 2 led to the discovery and destruction of another illegal refining site in Ozochi community in Ahoada East Local Government Area. Security forces also seized about 1,200 litres of stolen crude stored in 17 sacks in the Aminigboko area of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
In a related operation, troops recovered an additional 1,500 litres of suspected crude oil from a boat intercepted along the Akwete–Obuaya–Umore River in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. The military said the combined volume of stolen crude and petroleum products recovered during the operations was about 50,970 litres.
Onoja urged residents of oil-producing communities and the general public to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and to avoid purchasing illegally refined petroleum products.
Beyond the Niger Delta, the military also recorded several successes in counter-terrorism operations in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai. According to the defence headquarters, troops neutralised several fighters linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), arrested 20 suspects and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.
“Eleven insurgents also surrendered with their families during the period under review.
“Troops operating in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators who allegedly assisted insurgents by selling rustled cattle and supplying fuel and logistics.
“The suspects later led troops to a hidden storage facility containing medical supplies meant for terrorists,” Onoja said.
The military also said soldiers repelled a terrorist attack in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and recovered sophisticated weapons and ammunition after neutralising several insurgents involved in the assault.
In another operation, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted precision strikes on terrorist locations inside Sambisa Forest. Onoja said battle damage assessment from the operation indicated that several senior terrorist commanders were eliminated.
“Battle damage assessment indicated that the operation eliminated several senior terrorist commanders, including Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbem,” he said.
Military intelligence reports suggested that the strike resulted in the deaths of more than 18 terrorist ring leaders and 42 fighters.
In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma also recorded successes against armed groups. Several terrorists were neutralised, eight suspects were arrested and five kidnapped victims were rescued.
“One suspect arrested in Zamfara State was found with military-related accoutrements, raising suspicions about links to terrorist networks.
“In Kaduna State, troops responding to intelligence reports arrested two injured suspects who had reportedly sought treatment in a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds during earlier clashes with security forces,” Onoja disclosed.
Operations under Operation Savannah Shield in Kwara and Niger states also resulted in the killing of more than 17 terrorists during a gun battle in Roguwa Forest in Niger State. Security forces additionally intercepted eight bags of ammonium chloride weighing 50 kilograms each along the Eruku–Egbe road in Kwara State. The chemical substance is commonly used in the production of improvised explosive devices.
Troops operating under Operation Whirl Stroke in Kogi State arrested 12 suspected terrorists in Lokoja. According to the military, the suspects claimed to belong to the group Miyetti Allah but were unable to provide verifiable identification documents. Security forces recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, mobile phones and cash from them.
In the South-East, soldiers under Operation Udo Ka arrested five suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). During clearance operations in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, troops discovered a building believed to be used as an administrative base by the group.
Items recovered from the building included foreign currency, weapons, and a Mobile Police uniform bearing Biafran insignia. Three additional suspects were also arrested during cordon-and-search operations in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
Overall, the military said its nationwide operations during the period resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of numerous suspects, and the rescue of more than 50 kidnapped victims.
Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, commended troops for their courage and professionalism in tackling security challenges across the country. He also paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during operations and assured their families of continued support from the military.
The Armed Forces also called on Nigerians to support ongoing security operations by providing credible information to security agencies and avoiding the spread of misinformation capable of undermining national security efforts.
