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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The commander Operation Delta Safe(OPDS), Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, said its operation against crude oil theft and other economic sabotage has led to the destruction of about 925 illegal oil refining sites, over 1,228 storage facilities and arrest of 1,565 suspected oil thieves.
He said the operation also led to the destruction of 297 large wooden boats, arrest of 136 tanker trucks/vehicles used in conveying stolen crude and 99 illicit weapons.
Admiral Oladipo, made this known while briefing Defence Correspondents on tour of OPDS Area of Responsibility led by Admiral he director Defence Media Operations Major General Onoja, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
According to him, The anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) efforts of the Joint Task Force during the period also led to the demobilization of about 6,857,890 litres of crude oil, 2,294,885 litres of illegally refined AGO, about 121,426 litres of DPK while 309,510 litres of PMS were denied the criminals.
Giving an update of the OPDS operations within the period under review, Admiral Oladipo, said “The operational successes have led to about 89 per cent within the Fourth Quarter 2025, sustenance of average Terminal Factors of 95 per cent on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP) and Trans Escravos Pipeline (TEP). Nonetheless, the JTF will continue to sustain its anti-COT efforts until the crime is totally eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum”.
To prevent criminals from carrying out their illegal acts and defraud the country of its economic gains, the command said the OPDS, carried out constant patrols/clearance of militants/ sea robbers camps.
During the period, he said “the JF conducted 3,240Land and Sea patrols as well as several clearance operations aimed at ridding the JOA of militants and sea pirates/sea robbers destroying about 14 of such camps.
“As a result of the sustained tempo of clearance operations on sea robbers/pirates and other criminals’ camps within the JOA, currently, number of sea robbery and piracy in Nigerian waters as well as the Gulf of Guinea are at the lowest and zero level respectively. Nonetheless, the Force would continue to maintain the tempo of its operations in order to sustain current gains.
Speaking on the non kinetic efforts of the OPDS, Oladipo, said the OPDS has built a strong relationship with Pipeline PSCs, particularly Tantita, through the Joint Arms Boarding Team JABT and fortnightly OP PLUG meetings with NNPCL, GSIAs and PSCs. These efforts he said has enhanced collaboration and address common challenges in protecting oil and gas infrastructure.
“The JTF continues to effectively utilize non-kinetic conflicts containment and resolution mechanism. The major non-kinetic effort of the OPDS is the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) mediation efforts to resolve mostly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) related disputes between host communities and oil and gas companies.
“From Jan – Dec 25, the JF amicably resolved about 282 CSR related disputes involving oil companies such as; CHEVRON, SEEPCO, RAECL, AITEO, NECONDE and OANDO among others, with their host communities. The employment of non-kinetic instrument significantly contributed to providing a conducive environment for oil and gas businesses to thrive. Similarly, due to the level of trust and confidence that both the oil companies and the host communities’ repose on the OPDS, the JF has minimal cases of human rights abuses. Summary of JTF SS OPDS operational successes from Jan – Dec 25 is at Enclosure 3.
“The OPDS conducts routine community outreaches that positively impact the wellbeing of the populace, including medical outreaches, scholarships for indigenous students and ecological support such as canal clearing to mitigate flooding. A notable example is the annual end-of-year programme, during which HQ OPDS provides palliatives and incentives to the Igbogene Community that hosts the headquarters.
“Similarly, various sectors and units under the command conduct comparably outreach activities within their respective areas of responsibility. Additionally, the collaboration with PSCs in conflict resolution conflicts and intelligence gathering has significantly enhancedoperational effectiveness and contributed to sustaining and improving crude oil production”.
In his address, the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Onoja, who commended officers and soldiers for their determination to keep the country united and peaceful, said the aim of the media tour was to intimate the media with operations of the OPDS, as well as cement the existing relationship.
Gen. Onoja, while noting the importance of the media in military operations, commended the media for its continuous support to the military especially in its operations to rid the country of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups terrorizing the peace of the country.
Gen. Onoja, while noting that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede, has placed strong emphasis on effective communication with the civil populace, however noted that communication is a two-way process. He said “The public provides information, and the Armed Forces act on that information. The most important instrument for building this synergy between the military and the civilian population is the Nigerian press”.
