• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • PRNigeria Fellows and CEO IMPR Yushau A Shuaib

      PRNigeria Fellowship: A Model for NIPSS Kuru

      Africa’s Economic Ties Deepen as Nigeria, Benin Sign Joint Trade Plan

      Customs Partners US Mission to Prevent Expanded Visa Ban

      Nigeria Customs Partners China on Smarter Ports, Officer Training, Reforms

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

  • National
    • NIPR President Ike Neliaku and a recently inducted PR professional from Kano

      NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its 31,000-Strong…

      NAHCON

      JUST IN: NAHCON Announces Fare for 2026 Hajj Exercise

      Officers of the Nigerian Police Force and delegates from the UN

      Nigeria Remains Committed to Curbing Illicit Arms Proliferation – IG Assures…

      Omoyele Sowore

      Rights Groups Condemn Police Over Alleged Assault and Detention of Omoyele…

      Navy Destroys illegal refinery

      Nigerian Navy Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Oil Theft in…

    • Government
      • NAHCON

        JUST IN: NAHCON Announces Fare for 2026 Hajj Exercise

        Omoyele Sowore

        Rights Groups Condemn Police Over Alleged Assault and Detention of Omoyele…

        court Judiciary

        Court Fines Zenith Bank, Police N85m for Freezing Customer’s Account with…

        Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari

        Let Bashir Ojulari Drive NNPC Reforms By Abdullahi Mohammed

        Nigerian Teen Nafisa Aminu

        After Pantami’s Call for Rewards, President Tinubu congratulates Nigerian teens for…

  • Security
    • Officers of the Nigerian Police Force and delegates from the UN

      Nigeria Remains Committed to Curbing Illicit Arms Proliferation – IG Assures…

      Military Troops during operations

      In Katsina, Troops Repel Bandits Attack, Rescue 3 Captives

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Foil Terrorists Attack, Eliminate 7 Terrorists in Borno

      Police Officer

      FCT Police Arrest Kogi Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, 106 Others in Coordinated…

      Nigerian Police Force

      Police Warn Officers Against Lobbying for Special Promotions

  • Features
    • Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari

      Let Bashir Ojulari Drive NNPC Reforms By Abdullahi Mohammed

      Tinubu, Atiku and Peter Obi

      Atiku, Obi and the ‘Confused Marriage’ Called ADC

      Kwankwaso, Northern Nigeria and the Politics of Marginalisation

      Kemi Badenoch

      Kemi Oomoale Badenough: A Liar By no Other Name by Chief…

      DSS, NNPCL and EFCC

      NNPCL Controversy: Arewa Economic Forum Raises Alarm as EFCC, DSS Refute…

  • State
    • Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

      Navy Destroys illegal refinery

      Nigerian Navy Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Oil Theft in…

      court Judiciary

      Court Fines Zenith Bank, Police N85m for Freezing Customer’s Account with…

      Military Troops during operations

      In Katsina, Troops Repel Bandits Attack, Rescue 3 Captives

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Foil Terrorists Attack, Eliminate 7 Terrorists in Borno

  • Event
    • Regional Vice President Western and Central Africa at the World Bank, Mr Ousmane Diagana pays a courtesy visit to Baze University

      World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku and a recently inducted PR professional from Kano

      NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its 31,000-Strong…

      Nigerian Teen Nafisa Aminu

      Pantami Urges Presidential Rewards for Nigerian Teen, Nafisa Aminu Who Topped…

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku and Customs Boss Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      NIPR Lauds Customs’ Reputation Reforms, Announces Annual PR Officer Award

      Prof Pate donates laptops to UNIMAID

      Prof Pate donates 20 Laptop Computers to UNIMAID

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Security REPORTER’S DIARY: Inside Niger Delta Creeks with Troops Battling Oil Thieves
  • Security

REPORTER’S DIARY: Inside Niger Delta Creeks with Troops Battling Oil Thieves

By
Kabir Abdulsalam
-
June 4, 2025
Oil theft
Oil theft

REPORTER’S DIARY: Inside Niger Delta Creeks with Troops Battling Oil Thieves

By Kabir Abdulsalam,

In the quiet, swampy creeks of Edagberi, the sudden thud of military boots shattered the calm. Within seconds, suspected oil thieves scrambled into the dense mangroves—one fleeing so hastily he left a shoe stuck in the mud.

This is the raw frontline of Nigeria’s intensifying war against crude oil theft—a deeply entrenched menace that has turned the lush wetlands of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states into smoky epicenters of economic sabotage.

On a recent media embed, I journeyed with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS)—the country’s multi-agency security force charged with fighting crude oil theft and illegal refining.

What I witnessed was a coordinated campaign blending military grit, strategic surveillance, and community engagement—battling an illegal industry that has cost Nigeria billions of dollars.

The Tactical Warfront

At the Joint Task Force (JTF) Headquarters in Yenagoa, the mission was clear. Surveillance data from Southern Ijaw and Nembe in Bayelsa showed fresh heat signatures—indicating newly activated illegal refining sites.

“Gentlemen, this is not a ceremonial visit,” a senior officer warned. “You will see the true face of economic sabotage today.”

Operation Delta Safe isn’t just the military—it is an extensive coalition: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, EFCC, Immigration, Customs, and Defense Intelligence Agency.

At the helm, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, represented by Maritime Component Commander Commodore Patrick Meteke, emphasized a change in tactics.

“Nigeria was losing over 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily in 2022—roughly $4 million a day,” he said. “This is no longer a containment strategy; it is a surgical war.”

And the results are telling. In just five months, OPDS dismantled 570 illegal refineries, seized 1.5 million litres of stolen crude, and arrested 681 suspects. Many are already undergoing prosecution; some have been convicted.

Illegal oil bunkery site at the Adibawa oil well Bayelsa
Illegal oil bunkery site at the Adibawa oil well Bayelsa

Nigeria’s oil production, once stifled by vandalism, has climbed to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day—steadily approaching President Bola Tinubu’s target of two million barrels per day.

Guns and Grace: The Dual Approach

Yet, Rear Admiral Madugu is clear: brute force alone will not secure the Delta.

“We are not just bombing bunkers—we are building trust,” he explained.

Through non-kinetic operations—like borehole drilling, school renovations, and medical outreaches—OPDS is turning former safe havens for oil thieves into hubs of cooperation. Locals now supply valuable intelligence that leads to the destruction of long-protected bunkering rings.

At Adibawa Well 8, an abandoned Agip oil facility turned into an illegal refining base, we saw firsthand the results of this community-military alliance. Charred tanks and abandoned hoses told the story of criminal disruption.

Lt. Colonel M.S. Kaigama, Commander of the 16 Brigade Garrison, led journalists through the remains.

“They thought they could hide here,” he said. “But we returned, over and over, until they ran.”

The Aerial Advantage

Above the creeks, the Nigerian Air Force is striking with surgical precision. Group Captain Abdulhafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, detailed how air surveillance has reshaped the battlefield.

Read Also:

  • World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures Partnerships
  • NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its 31,000-Strong Membership
  • JUST IN: NAHCON Announces Fare for 2026 Hajj Exercise

Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Operations Group
Group Captain Abdulafeez Opaleye, Commander of the 115 Operations Group

Between January and May 2025, the Air Force flew 172 missions, neutralizing 49 cooking sites, 16 boats, and over 20 reservoirs used by oil thieves. Using advanced helicopters like the T-129 Atak and EC-135, they monitor and strike targets—often without ground troops stepping in.

“Our goal is zero civilian casualties,” said Opaleye. “Every target is verified—accuracy is everything.”

But he also warned: “Until there are jobs and amenities, we are only treating the symptoms, not the disease.”

The Maritime Frontline

On the waterways, NNS SOROH—under the Nigerian Navy—has intensified patrols. Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami said the Navy has destroyed over two million litres of stolen crude and 1.8 million litres of illegally refined AGO in the past year alone.

Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, SOROH, under the Central Navy Command, Operations Delta Safe, Air Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami
Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, SOROH, under the Central Navy Command, Operations Delta Safe, Commodore Omobamidele Akinbami

Pipeline protection has improved significantly, now nearing 99% in some areas.

“This is not just about destroying sites—it is about defending national integrity,” he stressed. “And we need continued funding and inter-agency synergy to sustain this momentum.”

In the Belly of the Warzone

The media team journeyed through a maze of creeks under heavy escort. Gunboats sliced through the mangrove-lined waterways, their mounted weapons a constant reminder that this was more than a patrol—it was a frontline.

From hidden sabotage to environmental devastation, the scenery alternated between rustic villages and ghostly remains of bunkering camps. We passed children laughing beside women selling smoked fish—daily life stitched into the fabric of a warzone.

“This area is notorious for sea robbery too,” an officer noted. “Oil theft, piracy—they go hand in hand.”

An Industry of Shadows

The scale of the crime is staggering. According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the nation lost $3.2 billion to oil theft in 2023 alone.

Data from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) shows that over 630 million barrels were stolen between 2009 and 2020—translating to a loss of N16.25 trillion.

The theft is systematic. Commodore Meteke was blunt: “We have arrested traditional rulers, local leaders, and even uniformed personnel. This is a business empire, not just a crime ring.”

Kabir Abdulsalam with one of the Navy personnel
Kabir Abdulsalam with one of the Navy personnel

Private security contractors such as Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd and PINL, through platforms like the Joint Arms Boarding Team (JABT) and Operation PLUG, are enhancing coordination, intelligence sharing, and rapid response alongside government forces.

Last Line

My journey through the creeks of the Niger Delta revealed more than just burnt tanks and fleeing suspects. It exposed a nation grappling with economic hemorrhage and environmental decay—but also fighting back with resolve, strategy, and inter-agency collaboration.

One of the pipeline secured by the Nigerian Navy personnel
One of the pipeline secured by the Nigerian Navy personnel

The troops I encountered were not just enforcing law; they were reclaiming national dignity. The communities, once alienated, are now becoming allies. And the message is unmistakable: the era of impunity is being dismantled.

Nigeria’s war against oil theft cannot be won by bullets alone. Long-term victory demands political will, judicial accountability, grassroots empowerment, and a rethinking of how the region’s resources benefit its people.

As our gunboats turned toward base, the fading glow of a destroyed illegal refinery marked a small but significant victory. The creeks may seem calm for now—but the war continues.

Kabir Abdulsalam is a journalist based in Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected].

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Adibawa Well 8
  • Agip Oil
  • Charred tanks
  • Commodore Patrick Meteke
  • Edagberi
  • Joint task force
  • OPERATION DELTA SAFE
  • Rear Admiral Madugu
  • Rear Admiral Noel Madugu
Previous articleNigeria Customs Sets the Record Straight on Old Viral Shooting Video
Next articleEx-EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa Unveils Book on Subsidy Fraud
Kabir Abdulsalam
Kabir Abdulsalam
Xing

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Officers of the Nigerian Police Force and delegates from the UN

Nigeria Remains Committed to Curbing Illicit Arms Proliferation – IG Assures UN Delegation

Omoyele Sowore

Rights Groups Condemn Police Over Alleged Assault and Detention of Omoyele Sowore

Navy Destroys illegal refinery

Nigerian Navy Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Oil Theft in July 2025

Military Troops during operations

In Katsina, Troops Repel Bandits Attack, Rescue 3 Captives

Military Troops in Action

Troops Foil Terrorists Attack, Eliminate 7 Terrorists in Borno

Police Officer

FCT Police Arrest Kogi Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, 106 Others in Coordinated Operations

Nigerian Police Force

Police Warn Officers Against Lobbying for Special Promotions

CDCFIB

Board takes disciplinary actions against 224 NCoS officers

Alhaji Babangida Kogo of Yankuzo

After Sustained NAF Airstrikes, Bandits Release Abducted Zamfara Monarch

Military Troops in Action

Troops Rescue 7 Abducted Victims in Taraba After Fierce Gun Battle

IGP Commissions 300 housing units and new Police Facilities in Kano

IGP Commissions Over 300 Housing Units, New Police Facilities in Kano

a delegation from the Defence Headquarters’ Review Committee visited the headquarters of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna,

DHQ Moves to Update Joint Doctrine as GOC Hosts Review Team

Recent Posts

  • World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures Partnerships
  • NIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its 31,000-Strong Membership
  • JUST IN: NAHCON Announces Fare for 2026 Hajj Exercise
  • Nigeria Remains Committed to Curbing Illicit Arms Proliferation – IG Assures UN Delegation
  • Rights Groups Condemn Police Over Alleged Assault and Detention of Omoyele Sowore
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
World Bank Vice President visits Baze University, Commends Educational Standards, Assures PartnershipsNIPR Inducts 80 New PR Professionals in Kano to its 31,000-Strong MembershipJUST IN: NAHCON Announces Fare for 2026 Hajj ExerciseNigeria Remains Committed to Curbing Illicit Arms Proliferation - IG Assures UN DelegationRights Groups Condemn Police Over Alleged Assault and Detention of Omoyele SoworeNigerian Navy Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Oil Theft in July 2025Court Fines Zenith Bank, Police N85m for Freezing Customer’s Account with Invalid OrderIn Katsina, Troops Repel Bandits Attack, Rescue 3 CaptivesTroops Foil Terrorists Attack, Eliminate 7 Terrorists in BornoFCT Police Arrest Kogi Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, 106 Others in Coordinated OperationsPolice Warn Officers Against Lobbying for Special PromotionsBoard takes disciplinary actions against 224 NCoS officersAfter Sustained NAF Airstrikes, Bandits Release Abducted Zamfara MonarchThird-Estate, Ilorin Group Petition FCCPC Over Exploitative Fares by Overland AirwaysTroops Rescue 7 Abducted Victims in Taraba After Fierce Gun Battle
X whatsapp