Military destroys 57 illegal refineries, nab 21 suspected oil thieves
Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe have in three weeks discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and apprehended 21 oil thieves in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa Danmadami, made this known while giving update of military operations, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mr Danmadami said the troops also destroyed 953 cooking ovens, 68 wooden boats, 172 storage tanks and 149 dugout pits within the period.
He said the troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip also recovered 445,000 litres of crude oil, 1.04 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 22,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine.
According to him, eight tankers, 63 vehicles, two speed boats, one thug boat, 14 motorcycles, one tricycle, three bicycles, 11 pumping machines and three outboard engines were apprehended.
He added that 21 oil thieves and pipeline vandals were also apprehended within the period under review.
“Cumulatively within the weeks in focus, oil thieves were denied a total of N713.6 million in the region.
“The large quantity of illegal crude oil and other petroleum products recovered and destroyed and the number of arrested oil thieves and pipeline vandals, shows the unrelenting efforts by the troops of Operation Delta Safe in denying them freedom of action,” he said.
In the South-East, Mr Danmadami said the troops and other security agencies in the zone, neutralised seven criminals, apprehended 25 others and rescued eight kidnapped civilians.
He said the troops also recovered five AK47 rifles, eight pump action guns, three locally made pistols, three dane guns, several locally fabricated hand grenades with leg cuffs and chains, among others.
According to him, all recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
In the South-West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE in the conduct of Operation Swift Response recovered 1,680 (50kg) bags of foreign rice, 997 jerrycans of 30 litres of PMS, one truck, two golf cars, bales of used clothing, among other items.
Mr Danmadami said that the troops also arrested two criminal elements during the operation.
He said that all recovered items had been handed over to the Nigerian Custom Services while the arrested criminals were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
BoT plans fresh national convention, nullifies Anambra exercise re-electing Abure as LP chairman
Mr Ejiofor stated that the BoT does not recognise the party’s controversial national convention.
Lagos
13 arrested in Oshodi for refusing to use pedestrian bridge
The arrested pedestrians did not use the pedestrian bridge at Oshodi Oke
NationWide
Over 100 inmates apply for pardon in Kano
Among those seeking clemency were those serving life imprisonment, those nursing medical challenges and the elderly, among others.
States
50-year-old man arraigned over failure to produce son in court
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
States
Easter: TRACE begins ‘operation safe and responsible’ driving in Ogun
Mr Ogunyemi advised motorists to avoid unnecessary speed, night travels and overloading.
Sport
Ebonyi sports commissioner urges preparation for 2027 African Games
Ms Oleh said that the newly discovered talents proved that Nigeria truly has talents in abundance.