Troops destroy 32 boats, 12 storage tanks, 76 illegal refining sites – DHQ

The Nigerian military has destroyed 32 boats, 12 storage tanks, and 76 illegal refining sites, in a continued effort to combat illegal activities in the Niger Delta.

This latest crackdown was part of the ongoing operation aimed at curbing oil theft and other criminal enterprises that have plagued the region.

According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, troops in the Niger Delta also uncovered and dismantled 487 dugout pits and confiscated a variety of equipment used in illegal refining operations, including 71 cooking ovens, 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, and two speedboats.

The operation led to the recovery of 1,133,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, 100 litres of DPK, and 20,000 litres of PMS.

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The military’s operations were not limited to the Niger Delta. Across the country, troops neutralised 108 criminals, arrested 172 suspects, including 32 involved in oil theft, and rescued 214 kidnapped hostages.

The crackdown also prevented the theft of crude oil valued at over N1.3 billion.

In addition to these successes, the military recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, including machine guns, assault rifles, and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria emphasised their readiness to address emerging threats, particularly in light of recent violent protests across the country.

The militarymilitary reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining national stability and protecting Nigeria’s democracy, vowing to oppose any unconstitutional changes of government.

“The military is steadfast in its duty to safeguard our nation’s democracy and will not allow any entity to derail the democratic process.

“We are dedicated to providing a secure environment that supports the government’s efforts to address poverty and hardship in the country,” the statement read.

The Armed Forces also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria and to taking all necessary measures to protect the nation from both internal and external threats.