Commander, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) based in Igbogene, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Noel Magudu has said that massive surveillance, intelligence-oriented humanitarian efforts and intense crackdown on sea criminals in the oil-rich region raised crude level from 1.2m to 1.85m barrels per day (bpd), all in 11 months (June 2024 – May 2025).
He stated this while interacting with Defence Correspondents from on a media tour to the OPDS headquarters and other key military platforms in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State respectively.
The OPDS Commander who was represented at the briefing by the Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Patrick Meteke also remarked that sea robberies, piracy and other critical cases of economic sabotage on the Nigeria’s waterways and the Gulf of Guinea have reduced significantly showing 89 per cent operational success within the first quarter of 2025.
Maintaining that OPDS will maintain the present tempo of clearance operations on all criminal camps to sustain the current gains, he said that the operations led to “the sustenance of average Terminal Factors of 95 per cent on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP), and Trans Escravos Pipeline (TEP), as well as an increase in crude oil output from 1.2 million barrels per day in June 2024 to about 1.85 million in May, 2025.
(Commodore Patrick Meteke presenting a souvenir to Media Team Leader, Cdr Godwin Egbunu during the visit)
Rear Admiral Magudu further disclosed that troops combating crude theft in the Niger Delta region between January and May this year destroyed 578 illegal refineries and arrested 681 oil thieves while dislodging 13 militants’/sea pirates’ operational bases and recovering 653 illegal weapons within the period with some arrested suspects already convicted and others still undergoing trials in various courts of law.
According to him, approximately 3,582,893 litres of crude oil and 1,565,318 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as about 55,635 litres of DPK and 91,760 litres of PMS, were denied the criminals, just as 681 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes.
“The anti-Crude Oil Theft (COT) efforts of the Joint Force (JF) during the period under consideration led to the demobilization of about 570 illegal oil refining sites (each of which contains many camps), over 918 storage facilities, and 194 large wooden boats, among others. Additionally, 71 tanker trucks/vehicles engaged in conveying illegally refined products were arrested and handled appropriately.
“Approximately 3,582,893 litres of crude oil and 1,565,318 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as about 55,635 litres of DPK and 91,760 litres of PMS, were denied to the criminals. In the course of these operations, 681 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes.
“This contributed to the sustenance of average Terminal Factors of 95 per cent on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Trans Ramos Pipeline (TRP), and Trans Escravos Pipeline (TEP), as well as an increase in crude oil output from 1.2 million barrels per day in June 2024 to about 1.85 million as at May 25, 2025.
He gave further insight into his troops’ operations, saying that the criminals take advantage of the swampy, waterlogged terrain crisscrossed by numerous rivers and creeks to carry out their illicit activities ranging from crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering/refining, smuggling, sea robbery, militancy, kidnapping, cultism, communal-related issues to other existential threats to pipeline security.
According to him, the non-kinetic strategy adopted by the Joint Task Force has become a force multiplier in winning hearts and minds across host communities, stressing that while operations against illegal refineries and pipeline vandals were continually mounted, major community outreach programmes such as free medical outreaches, borehole projects and school renovations have succeeded in improving the lives of local populations .
“These humanitarian projects are not just gestures of goodwill; they are part of our broader strategy to build trust with communities. Through them, we receive credible intelligence on criminal hideouts, illegal refinery camps, and planned sabotage attacks. People are more willing to cooperate with us when they see our presence translating into real benefits”, he said.
He further stated that community leaders and youth groups who had before now been suspicious of military presence in their communities now actively participate in intelligence sharing and security sensitization, saying that such synergy has led to the dismantling of several illegal refining sites and the arrest of high-profile oil thieves.
“We believe that security must be holistic. The more stable and empowered these communities are, the less likely they are to harbour or support criminal elements. Development and security must go hand in hand”, he noted.
He restated the military’s commitment to upholding human rights and working within the framework of the law, stressing that OPDS remained a professional force that prioritizes the safety and dignity of civilians.
