Military deactivates 21 illegal refineries, nabs 23 suspected oil thieves

The Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Delta Safe had in the last one week discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces […]

The Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Delta Safe had in the last one week discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Friday in Abuja.

Kangye said the troops had sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review.

He said the troops recovered 121,035 litres of stolen crude oil, 19,650 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) and 7,140 litres of dual purpose kerosene (DPK).

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According to him, troops also discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 40 storage tanks and 28 drums.

“Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 9 vehicles.

“Furthermore, 23 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered. (NAN)