Military cracks down on oil thieves, deactivates 27 illegal refining sites in May – DHQ

By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja-

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of Operation Delta Safe have made significant strides in combating crude oil theft and criminality in the Niger Delta region.

In May, the military operation successfully deactivated 27 illegal refining sites and foiled oil theft worth over N31.4 million.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, announced this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta.” He said.

The defense spokesman said the operation led to the destruction of numerous equipment, including: 96 items of equipment, 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 34 dugout pits, 13 boat, 1 barge, 1 tug boat, 40 storage tanks and 9 drums

The military also recovered stolen crude oil and refined products, including:- 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 2,700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), 1,240 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)

Other items recovered include outboard engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and nine vehicles.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 27 oil thieves and other criminals, with assorted arms and ammunition recovered.

*“27 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered,”* Kangye said.

In addition to the oil theft operation, the troops also undertook anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations on June 1, in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta.

*“Three criminals were arrested, while some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones, laptops, television sets, and vehicle from them during the operations,”* Kangye added.