The Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, has successfully secured the Adibawa Oil Well, delivering a significant blow to crude oil thieves and reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The military disclosed that the operation followed persistent patrols and aggressive anti-bunkering campaigns, which forced criminal elements to abandon their illegal refining activities around the wellhead.
Speaking to Defence Correspondents at the Adibawa wellhead, the Acting Garrison Commander of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Major Hassan Mubarak Mohammed, explained that the criminals had previously operated a makeshift refining camp near the facility, siphoning crude oil directly from the source.
Remnants of the camp remained visible, he noted, highlighting the extent of illegal activity in the area.
“Due to the swampy and waterlogged terrain, this location has long been attractive to oil thieves.
”However, our sustained pressure has compelled them to retreat deeper into the forest,” Major Mohammed said.
He further revealed that arrangements had been concluded with Reconizer Oil Company to establish a 24-hour surveillance post at the well, ensuring continuous monitoring and immediate response to potential threats.
The military official emphasised that the new strategy differs from previous approaches, focusing on permanent deployment rather than periodic raids.
A field assessment conducted last month laid the groundwork for the construction of troop accommodations to support sustained operations at the site.
“The deployment will be amphibious in nature. During the dry season, troops will operate primarily on land, while the rainy season will involve the use of houseboats and gunboats to patrol and dominate the flooded waterways,” Major Mohammed explained.
Major Mohammed added that the static base would also function as a launchpad for continuous operations aimed at eliminating illegal refining in surrounding areas, signaling the military’s commitment to protecting the region’s critical oil infrastructure.
The Adibawa Oil Well, one of the most productive facilities in the Niger Delta, had been particularly vulnerable due to its remote location.
The establishment of a permanent military presence, according to the Defence Command, is intended to close existing security gaps and deny oil thieves any access to the facility.
This development is part of broader federal efforts to tackle crude oil theft, which has historically undermined national revenue and fueled insecurity in the Niger Delta. The success at Adibawa is seen as a model for similar operations across the region.
