By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related crimes in the first quarter of 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a quarterly media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

Onoja said troops intensified operations across the South-South region and adjoining states to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He said troops recovered more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene and premium motor spirit.

According to him, in March, troops recovered 193,570 litres of petroleum products and intercepted about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers.

“Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers, rescued victims and dismantled multiple illegal refining sites in Rivers and Imo states.

“Additionally, troops arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo and conducted joint operations with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leading to the arrest of drug suspects,” he said.

Onoja said troops also disrupted illegal oil activities in Akwa Ibom and uncovered a sabotage attempt at a wellhead, where explosives were safely neutralised.

He added that the operations had significantly degraded the capacity of criminal networks involved in oil theft in the region.

The defence spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining the offensive against economic sabotage and criminality in the Niger Delta. (NAN)