Troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE have foiled oil theft of N250,425,833.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Three Naira) within the last one week, the Defence Headquarters has said.
Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, gave details of the breakdown as 221,170 litres of stolen crude oil, 28,495 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 3,140 litres of PMS.
Additionally, he said, troops discovered and destroyed 46 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 23 boats, 44 storage tanks, 52 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites, and recovered such items as outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 21 vehicles.
He further stated that across the various theatres of operation, troops’ operations led to the elimination and arrests of terrorists and violent extremists and criminals, as well as the surrendering of scores of terrorists to troops.
For instance, troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE in the North central conducted offensive operations between 11th and 16th June, which brought them in contact with extremists in Gwer East Katsina Ala and Takum LGAs of Benue and Taraba states respectively. During the encounters, 2 extremists were killed, and their weapons and ammunition recovered.
Troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Guma, Gwer East and Katsina Ala LGAs of Benue State but terrorists fled before troops’ arrival. Troops dominated the general area to forestall further attack, while efforts is ongoing to arrest the perpetrators. Acting on a tip-off, troops arrested 6 criminals in Doma and Nasarawa LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, and recovered arms, ammunition and mobile phones.
During the week under review in the Northeast, troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI also recorded successes such as the surrendering of scores of terrorists comprising adult males and females as well as children as the operational tempo heightened up.
Also troops in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Konduga, Kukawa, Gwoza, Ngala, Kala Balge, Bama and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council of Borno state during which, some terrorists were eliminated, while 4 of them were arrested. Also, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as IEDs/IED making materials, bicycles, motorcycles and vehicles and food stuff amongst others. Terrorists’ camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
Troops of OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA in the Northwest, while on offensive operations made contact with terrorists during fighting patrols conducted in Tsafe, Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Tangaza, Wurno, Silame and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State.
They also conducted operations in Sabuwa, Kankara Malumfashi and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina state, during which, some terrorists were killed while 3 were arrested. Also, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons, as well as assorted ammunition and motorcycles, were also recovered.
Notably also, following ongoing non-kinetic initiative of the troops, scores of terrorists surrendered and unconditionally released 19 victims in their captivity in Danmusa LGA of Katina state on 14 June 2025. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the surrendered terrorists.
Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Talata Mafara, Gusau, and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Shinkafi and Isa LGAs of Katsina and Sokoto states respectively. They also conducted operations in Dankon-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi state, during which, troops killed some terrorists and arrested 6 of their collaborators.
In the Southeast, troops of OPERATION UDO KA, in sustained offensive operations in Orlu and Okigwe LGAs of Imo state as well as Ihiala and Onitcha LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi states respectively,
eliminated 5 violent extremists with whom they had made contact, and arrested 2, recovering weapons and ammunition, as well as vehicles in the process.
Similarly, between 12 – 13 June 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 7 suspected extremists in Isiala Ngwa and Ihiala LGAs of Abia and Anambra States respectively. They recovered weapon and ammunitions from them.
They also responded to information about criminal activities in Ihiala and Mbaitoli LGAs of Anambra and Imo states as well as Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu state and arrested one criminal as a result.
While commending the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved in the various theatres of operation, the DHQ gave reassurances of its continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
The DHQ also acknowledged the vital role played by the public in supporting the Armed Forces, and averred that the cooperation and support of citizens are essential in our collective efforts to overcome any obstacles that may arise.
“As we move forward, we are committed to keeping the nation informed of our progress and future endeavors. Transparency and communication are key pillars of our operations, and we strive to maintain open channels of dialogue with the public. Your trust and confidence in our Armed Forces are deeply valued, and we assure you that we will continue to uphold the highest standards of service and professionalism in all that we do”, Kangye stated.
