Troops of the 29 Battalion, operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal oil refining site in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The operation, which forms part of ongoing anti-oil theft missions in the Niger Delta, was carried out on May 12, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., according to security sources.
The discovery was made around the Asa community, where soldiers reportedly stumbled on an active illegal refining setup concealed within the area.
At the site, troops found a large cooking pot filled with crude oil, which had been stored in sacks, alongside other equipment believed to be used for illegal refining activities.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on his X handle, noting that the operation was part of sustained efforts to curb crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the region.
Military authorities confirmed that the recovered crude oil and equipment were handled in accordance with established operational procedures under Operation Delta Safe.
The raid was reportedly carried out without any resistance, confrontation, or security incident, with the site secured and dismantled by the troops.
The Nigerian military has in recent months intensified its crackdown on illegal refining sites and oil theft networks across the Niger Delta, a region long affected by pipeline vandalism and crude oil smuggling.
Authorities say such operations are aimed at protecting national resources, reducing environmental damage, and strengthening energy security.
