He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations.
He said the operation reflects the Navy’s resolve to curb oil bunkering and maritime crimes.
He said the action followed credible intelligence.
The refinery said that if implemented, this would result in the pump price of petrol and diesel rising to as high as N950 and N1,090 per litre in some parts of Nigeria.
He added that approximately 8,660 litres of stolen crude oil were seized during the operation.
Mr Kangye said the troops during the week foiled oil theft worth N869.2 million.
NBS said 20.30 billion litres of petrol reported in 2023 amounted to a decrease of 13.77 per cent compared to the 23.54 billion litres recorded in 2022.
Mr Eluwade said four suspects were arrested Monday at a filling station along Abak Road in Uyo Metropolis while trying to blend two products to form diesel.
Mr Buba said the troops also denied oil thieves the sum of N765.8 million and recovered 55 assorted weapons and 96 assorted ammunition during the period.
“We need organic social protection programmes to cover informal sectors and not piecemeal dole-outs, which do not reach the target beneficiaries anywhere.”
