Troops Recover Stolen Crude Worth N793m, Destroy 44 Illegal Refineries
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigerian military says its troops have recovered stolen crude oil worth N793,257,250, even as they dismantled 44 Illegal refining sites.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, in a statement on Friday, noted that this is a
significant success in the military’s ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta region.
He said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in addition to the refining sites destroyed by troops were 4 dugout pits, 48 boats, and 3 speedboats in the region.
He said the recovered amount was made up of 602,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 64,900 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO), and 12,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Additionally, troops arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and seized various items, including 28 cooking ovens, 8 vehicles,1 motorcycle, 1 tricycle, and other equipment used for illegal oil refining.
“The military’s efforts to combat oil theft and vandalism aim to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and protect the environment”, he stated.
General Buba further stated that in the various theatres of operation across the country, troops neutralized 118 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, and rescued 96 kidnapped hostages between September 24 and October 1, 2024.
Highlighting some of the military’s successes in the various operations conducted between September 24 and October 1, 2024, he stared with OPERATION HADIN KAI
in the North East, where troops neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested 14 suspects, and rescued 42 kidnapped hostages. They recovered 1 PKT gun, 14 AK-47 rifles, and 349 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
In the North Central, OPERATION SAFE HAVEN neutralized 3 violent extremists, arrested 20 suspects, and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 1 auto pistol, 8 rounds of 9mm ammo, and two motorcycles.
Furthermore, troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE in the North Central arrested 14 violent extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. The military recovered one PKM gun, 2 AK47 rifles, and 363 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
In the North West, OPERATION HADARIN DAJI neutralized 36 terrorists, arrested 3 suspects, and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 14 AK-47 rifles, 9 dane guns, and 567 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
In the South East, troops of OPERATION UDO KA arrested 10 violent extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered two vehicles, 1 motorcycle, and 14 mobile phones.
“The military remains committed to ensuring the protection of citizens and property and preventing illegal activities in all theatres of operations”, Buba said.
