Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 4 of Operation DELTA SAFE, have intercepted a vehicle transporting approximately 1,200 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation in Akwa Ibom State. The operation, carried out at about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, along the Onna–Etinan Road, followed credible intelligence and surveillance on the activities of a suspected oil bunkerer. The suspect, driving an Infiniti Jeep with registration number EPE 937 EY, attempted to evade arrest upon sighting the troops but abandoned the vehicle and fled into the surrounding bush after a brief pursuit.
A search of the abandoned vehicle led to the discovery of 40 nylon bags containing approximately 1,200 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, estimated to be worth ₦2,256,000. The recovery was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Captain Lawal Bala Muhammad. He noted that the recovered products and the vehicle were secured and handled in line with the mandate of Operation DELTA SAFE, which is tasked with combating crude oil theft, illegal refining, and other economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
The operation was concluded without casualties or any other security incident. The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities threatening the nation’s economic assets and energy infrastructure. As of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the suspect remains at large, and efforts to track him down are ongoing. The interception is part of a broader offensive against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, where troops have conducted multiple operations in recent weeks to dismantle criminal networks and protect critical oil infrastructure.
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