From open burns to chemical adulteration, criminals in the Niger Delta are getting craftier—and security forces are keeping pace.
Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Commander of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), says oil thieves are moving away from traditional open illegal refining, now using chemicals to convert crude into petroleum products—a method that is highly dangerous and environmentally damaging.
He also flagged crude theft at remote wellheads as a growing challenge, with thieves exploiting swampy and hard-to-reach areas despite pipeline security improvements. OPDS responds with daily intelligence-led operations, land, sea, and air patrols, even on weekends and holidays.
Oladipo credited the region’s peaceful festive period to strong inter-agency collaboration, timely intelligence, and active community cooperation. He stressed that communities and the media play a key role in reporting suspicious activity, warning that leaks could allow criminals to escape.
To mediate disputes between oil companies and host communities, OPDS set up a Situation Room and Mediation Centre, which resolved tensions and restored disrupted production.
“Our mandate is to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, safeguard lives, and stop crude oil theft—for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Oladipo said, urging investment in modern surveillance to bolster maritime and energy security.
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