In continuation of its commitment to halting oil theft and shore up crude production levels, the Nigeria Military on Sunday November 17, 2024 announced the destruction of no fewer than 46 illegal crude oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region l.
In a statement released on its official site, the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army also said that it seized about 95 ,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and 47 boats used by oil bunkering syndicates in ferrying stolen products in its recent operations within the region
The operations, the Army noted, “are primarily aimed at disrupting the activities of illegal crude oil refining gangs, as well as totally incapacitating them.
“These were in addition to other strangulating operations targeted at crippling the criminal networks of cartels in the region.
“The operations which were conducted from 11-17 November 2024 recorded several operational successes.
“In Rivers state, following credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs along the Oando pipeline in Ebocha, a new base in Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area ONELGA, troops engaged armed criminals .
“In the firefight that ensued, the criminals who were overwhelmed by superior fire, fled in disarray.
“Further exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of one AK-47 riffle ,one magazine loaded with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition abandoned by the fleeing armed vandals.
“Further operations were around Obiafu-Ndoni and large wooden boats conveying over 472 sacks. of stolen crude estimated to be 28,320 litres ,were intercepted
“Operations were also conducted around Tuna and Krakrama general areas in Degema LGA with a number of wooden and fibre boats destroyed and over 10,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO confiscsted” the Military stated .
According to the statement, seven suspects were also arrested in the course of the operations, while about 95 ,500 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered in Buguma area in Asari Toru local council of Rivers State.
The Source reports that only a few days ago, the Nigerian authorities gleefully informed that daily crude production has risen to about 1.8 million barrels.
They also expressed the optimism that the country could, within the shortest possible time, hit the two million daily mark if oil theft can be curtailed.
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