Nigerian Military Reclaims Strategic Adibawa Oil Well, Deploys Permanent Force to Combat Theft
Nigeria’s Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe, has successfully reclaimed the Adibawa Oil Well from crude oil thieves and finalized plans to establish round-the-clock surveillance at the site in partnership with Reconizer Oil Company, marking a strategic shift from temporary raids to permanent military deployment against illegal bunkering.
Speaking during a media interaction at the Adibawa wellhead, Acting Garrison Commander of the 16 Brigade Nigerian Army Yenagoa, Major Hassan Mubarak Mohammed, explained that the successful takeover followed sustained patrols and aggressive anti-oil bunkering operations. He pointed to remnants of an illegal refining camp near the wellhead where criminals had been tapping crude directly from the source before being forced to retreat into the forest.
The military’s new strategy involves constructing troop accommodations for permanent, static deployment rather than relying on periodic raids. Major Mohammed revealed that a field assessment was conducted last month to facilitate construction of an amphibious base, with troops operating primarily on land during the dry season and deploying houseboats and gunboats to control flooded waterways during the rainy season. This dual approach ensures year-round force projection into the dense forest regardless of weather conditions.
Recognized as one of the region’s most productive wells, Adibawa’s remote location in notoriously difficult, swampy, and waterlogged terrain had previously made it a prime target for exploitation. Military officials emphasized that the new permanent base will serve as a launchpad for continuous operations aimed at eliminating illegal refining in the area.
Source: thisdaylive.com
