Troops deployed to the country’s South-South region have recovered 602,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 64,900 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 12,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirit over the last week.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the recoveries total N793 million.
He also stated that 18 suspected oil thieves were apprehended, and 44 illegal refining sites were located and destroyed during the assessment period.
Buba stated,
“In the SS, troops disputed the oil theft of an estimated N793,257,250.00 alone.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area also discovered and destroyed 4 dugout pits, 48 boats, 3 speedboats, 156 drums and 34 storage tanks. Troops recovered 602,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 64,900 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 12,690 litres of PMS.
“Other items recovered include 28 cooking ovens, 8 vehicles, one motorcycle, one tricycle and 44 illegal refining sites. Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft.”
Buba reported that 118 terrorists were killed during counter-terrorism operations in the country’s north.
He said,
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 118 and arrested 97 persons and rescued 96 kidnapped hostages.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 87 assorted weapons and 2,244 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: one PKT gun, one PKM, one RPG, one auto pistol, 43 AK47 rifles, 14 fabricated rifles, 14 Dane guns, 5 pump action guns, 6 AK47 magazines, and 3 briefing radios.
“Others are 1,715 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 505 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 8 rounds of 9mm ammo, 14 live cartridges, 89 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 10 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 50 mobile phones, and the sum of N778,560.00 only amongst other items.”
Source: Punch