In a sweeping crackdown on oil theft and criminal activities in the Niger Delta region, troops of Operation Delta Safe have arrested 42 suspected oil thieves and uncovered a massive cache of stolen crude and illegally refined products.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Kangye, operatives recovered an estimated 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and 1,759 litres of kerosene (DPK) over the past week. Additionally, troops dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, including 18 cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums, and 16 boats used in the criminal operations.
Other recovered items included pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 13 vehicles suspected to have been used in oil theft and related crimes.
In a separate operation, security forces apprehended a notorious cult leader, Prince Johnson Ishirim, also known as Commander Junior, alongside 13 other suspects linked to kidnapping and cult activities across parts of Rivers and Delta States.
Kangye further revealed that troops stormed a criminal hideout in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on July 10, arresting 28 oil thieves and drug dealers.
Weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and motorcycles were seized during these coordinated operations aimed at restoring peace and curbing economic sabotage in the oil-rich region.
