Troops recover 85,000 litres of stolen fuel, dismantle illegal refineries
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Troops recover 85,000 litres of stolen fuel, dismantle illegal refineries
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have recovered about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and dismantled three illegal refining sites in Rivers State.
The operation was conducted by troops of Operation Delta Safe under Operation Delta Sentinel in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday while giving an update on military operations across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026.
Onoja said the products were concealed in eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs used by the illegal refiners.
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He said the operation followed an earlier disruption of two illegal refining sites in the same area, describing the sustained action as part of efforts to degrade illegal refining networks and protect the nation’s critical petroleum assets.
The military spokesman said troops also recorded successes against kidnappers and arms traffickers in the South-South during the period under review.
According to him, three suspected kidnappers were arrested at Igue/Ikao Community in Owan East LGA of Edo State on August 14 and handed over for further action.
He added that troops intercepted and arrested another suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Asaba LGA of Delta State on August 19.
Onoja said seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest were recovered from the suspect.
In the South-East, he said troops of Operation Udo Ka continued operations against secessionist agitators and illegal oil bunkering syndicates across Abia, Anambra, Imo and Rivers states.
He said troops on patrol along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu LGA of Imo State on August 14 discovered and safely disarmed several improvised explosive devices.
The troops also engaged suspected secessionist elements who fled into nearby vegetation following a brief firefight.
A locally made pistol and cartridges were recovered, he added.
Onoja said troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site at Ihie Community in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State on August 15, arresting three suspects and recovering motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle.
He added that two suspects linked to an earlier attack on troops in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State were arrested during a raid on a hideout in Omoku, Rivers State, on August 17.
Similarly, troops recovered a pistol, ammunition and a radio during a fighting patrol to an Indigenous People of Biafra camp at Eketutu in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State on August 18.
The military spokesman said troops conducting clearance operations towards the Mother Valley in Ihiala LGA on August 20 also cleared 11 IEDs.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered firearms and ammunition during operations in Plateau State.
Onoja said troops responded to an attack on Mwar Community in Chakfem Kingdom, Mangu LGA, on August 20, following the rustling of cattle by local indigenes.
He said surveillance assets were deployed and raids conducted on the residences of identified suspects, leading to the recovery of assorted firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition.
The military spokesman said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.
He said the Armed Forces would continue to sustain operations aimed at protecting lives and property and safeguarding the nation’s critical assets.
