The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 51 illegal oil refining sites and recovered stolen crude oil and refined products in the Niger Delta in the last week.

The director of defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops also apprehended 58 perpetrators of oil theft, denying them an estimated sum of N668.7 million.

The troops destroyed seven dugout pits, 25 boats, 47 storage tanks, five vehicles, 141 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, one outboard engine, one tricycle, one speedboat, and one tugboat.

According to him, troops recovered 267,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 567,700 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 5,000 litres of DPK.

“Troops have maintained momentum against oil theft and arrested persons involved in oil theft in Bonny and Ikpoba Local Government Areas of Rivers and Edo States, respectively,” he said.

In the South-East, Mr Buba said troops of Operation UDO KA arrested 15 suspected criminals and repelled attacks by IPOB/ESN criminals in Anambra, Abia, and Imo States.

The troops conducted raids and rescued kidnapped hostages in Ishielu and Igbo Eze North Local Government Areas of Ebonyi and Enugu States, respectively.

They neutralised three criminals, rescued five kidnapped hostages, and recovered 14 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.

In the South-West, Mr Buba said troops of Operation AWATSE foiled armed robbery attacks in Orelope and Olorunsogo Local Government Areas of Oyo State and arrested a gunrunner in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun.

According to him, troops rescued 15 kidnapped hostages and recovered two vehicles.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he added.

(NAN)