The Defence Headquarters reports that troops of Operation Delta Safe have discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and apprehended 23 oil thieves in the Niger Delta.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Friday in Abuja.
According to Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, the troops recovered significant amounts of stolen crude oil and other petroleum products.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 121,035 litres of stolen crude oil, 19,650 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 7,140 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Additionally, the troops destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 40 storage tanks, and 28 drums.
“Between June 7 and June 8, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Okigwe and Aniocha Local Government Areas of Imo and Delta States.
“During the operations, two criminals were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones and motorcycles from them.
“Similarly, between June 6 and June 10, troops, acting on a tip-off, arrested nine suspected vandals/criminals in Okirika, Etche and Akuku-Toru in Rivers as well as Ogbia and Aniocha North in Bayelsa and Delta State, respectively,” he said.
