Troops of the Nigerian Army recovered 156,000 litres of stolen petroleum products worth N250 million across the Niger Delta.
The operations, which spanned 25 days, were conducted by the 6 Division in collaboration with other security agencies.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma stated that nine suspects were arrested during the operation.
He said troops confiscated over 130,000 litres of crude oil and 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) during the operations.
Troops dismantled ten illegal refining sites, destroyed equipment, and arrested nine suspected oil thieves.
“The recovered stolen crude oil and diesel are worth about N250 million,” he added.
Providing a breakdown of the operation, Danjuma said that in Rivers, troops intercepted an abandoned truck loaded with stolen crude oil along the East-West Road in the Ahoada area.
He said another reservoir containing over 26,000 litres of adulterated diesel was discovered, along with equipment used for siphoning products.
Troops confiscated 266 sacks of crude oil at Ebocha, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
Additional discoveries in Abessa Forest and Abua/Odual LGA included destroyed sacks and illegal refining equipment.
Moving to Delta, Danjuma said that troops uncovered a tapping point and storage pit containing crude oil in Ethiope LGA.
Additionally, in Akwa Ibom, he reported that 45 bags containing illegally refined diesel were recovered, noting that the suspects fled the scene and abandoned the products.
He quoted the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah commended troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the offensive against economic sabotage.
