Troops Arrest 84 Suspects, Recover 464,268 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products in Q2
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 84 suspects, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during operations conducted in the second quarter of 2026.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Abuja on the Armed Forces’ operational activities for the period.
According to him, troops also neutralised six criminal elements and recovered large volumes of stolen crude oil and refined products, including Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), in what he described as a major setback for organised oil theft and illegal bunkering operations.
Onoja said military operations extended beyond the Niger Delta, with troops dismantling kidnapping networks in Edo and Cross River states, arresting wanted suspects, rescuing abducted victims and recovering firearms, ammunition and other incriminating materials.
Providing updates on operations in the South-East, he said troops under Operation Udo Ka intensified pressure on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), neutralising 12 fighters, arresting 115 suspects and rescuing 20 kidnapped victims.
He added that troops recovered machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, grenades, ammunition, communication gadgets, as well as fake military and police uniforms.
The defence spokesman further stated that troops rescued traditional rulers held hostage, destroyed criminal camps, dismantled illegal crude oil storage facilities and arrested logistics operatives linked to criminal activities.
On air operations, Onoja said the Nigerian Air Force carried out precision interdiction missions in Kaduna and Niger states, targeting terrorist positions, disrupting planned attacks and strengthening aerial surveillance along the Abuja-Kaduna transport corridor.
He added that the Armed Forces expanded civil-military relations through agricultural support initiatives, civilian protection training, stakeholder engagements and mediation efforts between oil companies and host communities.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for maintaining professionalism and reiterated the military’s commitment to sustained operations aimed at achieving lasting national security.
He also urged Nigerians to support security efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence through military formations or the Defence Headquarters toll-free emergency line, 193, assuring that all information received would be treated confidentially.
