Troops intercept 15,000 litres of illegal diesel, arrest 3 in Delta

Troops of 63 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, have intercepted two trucks conveying about 15,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Sapele, Delta State.

The operation, carried out on Sunday, August 17, 2025, led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Kadiri Yakubu, 45; Lawrence Ositigei, 30; and Martin Paul, 20.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, the trucks, with registration numbers BEN 634-XG and MUSL-833XC, were loaded with 8,500 cellophane bags of illicitly refined fuel.

The suspects and the seized products have been transferred to the 90 Amphibious Battalion headquarters for further investigation.

Commander of 63 Brigade, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their professionalism and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to tackling economic sabotage, oil theft, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

He assured residents of Delta State that the Army remains resolute in its mandate to safeguard peace and security in the region.