Nigerian Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites in One Week

Troops of Operation Delta Safe have intensified efforts against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling 56 illegal refining sites within a week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday while presenting the weekly update on military operations.

During the operation, troops recovered 675,266 litres of stolen crude oil, 312,593 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 4,500 litres of DPK. They also destroyed 51 crude oil cooking ovens, 49 dugout pits, 43 boats, 28 storage tanks, and 131 drums.

Additionally, the military seized four pumping machines, four tricycles, three motorcycles, seven mobile phones, and eight vehicles. A total of 31 suspected oil thieves and criminals were arrested, while 103 assorted arms and ammunition, along with three extra magazines, were recovered.

Between March 5 and 10, troops apprehended 11 suspected criminals and rescued four kidnapped victims in parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Delta states.

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

The air component also carried out patrols and reconnaissance missions over areas including Imo River, Owaza, Ohaji/Egbema, and Abacheke, as well as Nembe, Okpokiri, Tomkiri, Brass, and Belema. These operations contributed to the destruction of illegal refining sites and the seizure of various equipment.

Nigeria Army Eliminate 74 Terrorists, Arrest 130 Suspects In 1 Week Says DHQ

Nigeria army eliminate 74 terrorists, arrest 130 suspects in 1 week says DHQ. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that military operations conducted between March 5 and 13 led to the elimination of 74 terrorists, the arrest of 130 suspects, and the rescue of 61 kidnapped victims across various locations.

Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Armed Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, security agencies, and hybrid forces.

During the operations, troops recovered 71 assorted weapons, including 32 AK-47 rifles, 15 locally made guns, nine Dane guns, three pump-action shotguns, two locally fabricated pistols, and 10 other firearms.

Additionally, 1,202 rounds of ammunition were seized, comprising 1,133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 69 live cartridges.

Terrorists Surrender in North-East
Kangye revealed that 143 terrorists surrendered in the North-East, including five adult males, 66 adult females, and 72 children. One of the surrendered fighters turned in two AK-47 rifles, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two magazines.

Nigeria Army Eliminate 74

Reaffirming the military’s commitment to national security, Kangye stated, “The gallant men and women of the Armed Forces will continue to fulfill their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property in line with the law, Rules of Engagement, and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.”

Customs Seizes 34,470L Of Smuggled Petrol At Taraba-Cameroon Border

Customs seizes 34,470L of Smuggled petrol at Taraba-Cameroon border. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its crackdown on fuel smuggling, seizing 34,470 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a heavy-duty transportation truck in a three-hour operation along the Taraba-Cameroon border.

The enforcement, led by the Customs’ Operation Whirlwind unit, targeted smugglers operating through Gembu and Kan-Iyaka in Sardauna LGA, a known smuggling corridor.

Speaking at a public auction in Jalingo, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the operation was carried out with support from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Adeniyi explained that intelligence from the inter-agency intelligence fusion center detected unusual fuel movement patterns in the Sorofi and Kan-Iyaka areas between March 8 and 9, 2025.

Acting on this, field teams executed a series of coordinated interceptions, disrupting what appeared to be an emerging smuggling route.

The seizure included 1,149 Jerry cans of PMS, each containing 30 liters, totaling 34,470 liters. A specialized transportation truck valued at ₦4 million was also confiscated, bringing the total duty-paid value to ₦37.78 million.

Adeniyi noted that a significant portion of the smuggled fuel was intercepted in Gembu, while 180 Jerry cans and the truck were seized en route to the Kan-Iyaka border crossing.

Cameroon Border

Describing fuel smuggling as a threat to national security and economic stability, Adeniyi urged security agencies to remain vigilant. He stressed that petrol is vital to economic activities and warned that shortages could slow down the economy.

He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to tackling smuggling networks and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy sector and economic interests.