By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), says crude oil thieves in the Niger Delta have changed tactics, forcing security forces to adapt operations to counter emerging threats to Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.

The Commander of OPDS, Rear Adm. Olugbenga Oladipo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Yenagoa during a media tour by Defence Correspondents, led by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.

The commander said that criminal networks have moved away from open illegal refining to more covert and sophisticated methods.

According to him, illegal refiners no longer burn crude in the open. They now use chemicals to adulterate crude oil into petroleum products, a dangerous and environmentally destructive process.

He added that OPDS had adjusted its intelligence and operational focus to track the supply and movement of such chemicals.

Oladipo said another growing challenge was crude oil theft at wellheads, explaining that while coordinated efforts with private pipeline security contractors had significantly reduced theft along pipeline routes, criminals were now exploiting thousands of wellheads located in remote and difficult terrain.

“Some of these wellheads are in areas with thick vegetation and swampy terrain where access is extremely difficult, even when illegal activities are sighted,” he said.

Oladipo said OPDS conducts at least two major operations daily, in addition to routine land, sea and air patrols, stressing that operations were continuous and had no regard for weekends or holidays.

He attributed the peaceful security situation recorded across the Niger Delta during the last festive period to strong inter-agency collaboration and effective intelligence sharing under the coordination of the Chief of Defence Staff.

According to him, there were no major incidents in December because intelligence was timely, shared and acted upon jointly by all security agencies.

The OPDS commander also identified community cooperation as a critical factor in sustaining operational gains, lamenting cases where intelligence was compromised through leaks, allowing suspects to escape before troops arrived.

He warned that while communities had the right to pursue legitimate grievances, shutting down oil installations was unlawful, just as oil companies had no right to ignore genuine community concerns.

To address such disputes, Oladipo said OPDS had established a Situation Room and Mediation Centre, which recorded its highest number of engagements in December, resolving tensions between host communities and operators and restoring disrupted production.

“I work for the Federal Government of Nigeria, not for any oil company or any community.

“Our mandate is to protect oil and gas infrastructure, safeguard lives and property, and stop crude oil theft and illegal refining for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

Oladipo called on communities and the media to support security efforts by promptly reporting suspicious movements, stressing that intelligence remained “everybody’s business.”

He reaffirmed that the Niger Delta was safe, noting increased exploration activities and renewed investor confidence, while urging greater investment in modern surveillance technology to further enhance maritime and energy security. (NAN)

Update news