The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that soldiers from ‘Operation Delta Safe’ have shut down 41 illegal oil refining sites and prevented oil theft valued at over ₦112.1 million in the Niger Delta region in September.
In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the troops have been actively patrolling and using aerial surveillance to address issues related to crude oil theft, damage to pipelines, and other forms of economic crime.
During this time, he said the troops also seized significant amounts of stolen oil, including 49,321 liters of crude oil, 6,970 liters of automotive gas oil, 1,900 liters of dual ourpose kerosene, and 1,475 liters of petrol.
The operation led to the destruction of illegal refining equipment, including 21 cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, and 11 storage tanks.
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Additionally, several suspects linked to this illegal activity were arrested.
These efforts took place in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States, with assistance from other security agencies.
Major General Kangye emphasized the military’s commitment to fighting against oil theft, highlighting its importance for Nigeria’s economy and environmental protection.
He also called on local communities to help by sharing information that could lead to the identification and disruption of oil theft operations in their areas.
He assured that the operations will continue to target not only the illegal refineries but also the methods used to transport stolen oil, aiming to completely eliminate these criminal activities.
