Military foil N943m oil theft in the South-South, arrest 23

Nigerian troops have arrested 23 suspects involved in oil theft and thwarted an attempt to steal oil valued at N943 million.

This was announced during a briefing in Abuja on Thursday by Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, who provided an update on the military’s ongoing operations across Nigeria.

Buba highlighted the success of the troops in the Niger Delta, where they discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks.

The troops also recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 7,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Other items seized included 32 cooking ovens, 2 outboard engines, 2 pumping machines, 2 vehicles, one tricycle, 3 motorcycles, and 84 illegal refining sites.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 147 criminals and arrested 381 persons. Among those arrested were 23 individuals involved in oil theft, and 113 kidnapped hostages were rescued,” Buba stated.

He further disclosed that the troops recovered a significant cache of weapons, including 74 assorted firearms and 3,498 rounds of ammunition.

The arsenal included 42 AK-47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 dane guns, one FN rifle, and one revolver pistol. Additional recoveries included six vehicles, 32 motorcycles, and eight mobile phones.

READ ALSO: Senator Buba knocks Governor Bala after Bauchi chieftaincy withdrawal

“The recently rejigged operations against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta are beginning to yield a noticeable increase in the nation’s crude oil production.

“While we are not yet at our desired daily production levels, troops will maintain the renewed vigor and momentum until we achieve and exceed our targets.”

Buba emphasized that military operations in other parts of the country remain focused on “defeating and killing the enemy wherever they are hiding.”

He stressed that the military is constantly assessing and adjusting its strategies to effectively combat terrorism and ensure the safety of citizens.

Buba urged citizens to play their part in the fight against insecurity, noting that victory depends not only on the military but also on the collective efforts of the people.

“Together, we can make an extraordinary difference in wiping out insecurity in our nation,” he noted.