Vast mangrove forests concealed illegal refineries, crude oil thieves and armed criminal networks that siphoned national wealth, devastated the environment and undermined investor confidence. At the heart of this renewed push is Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), the joint land, maritime and air task force mandated to secure Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure. From the creeks of Southern Ijaw to the oil corridors of Rivers, troops now dominate areas once considered impenetrable. Sustained naval pressure, he noted, had forced oil theft syndicates to move smaller quantities using smaller boats, even as naval patrols remained relentless. “Oil theft has become sophisticated, but when oil production improves, the entire nation benefits,” he said, urging sustained community cooperation.