The Defence Headquarters announced on Friday that Nigerian troops have uncovered and dismantled 16 illegal refinery sites across the Niger Delta region within the past week.
Security operations also led to the disabling of 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dug-out pits, and 21 storage tanks. Additionally, 11 suspects linked to crude oil theft and sabotage were arrested.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops successfully halted the theft of crude oil valued at over N536.7 million, confiscated 48 smuggling boats, and rescued kidnapped victims.
Recovered during the operations were 392,174 litres of stolen crude oil, 138,757 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), 830 litres of petrol (PMS), and 375 litres of kerosene (DPK), as well as pumping machines, drilling equipment, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and vehicles.
Security forces also intensified operations targeting terrorist groups, bandits, and other criminal elements in various states, resulting in multiple terrorists neutralized, arrests of gunrunners, oil theft collaborators, and violent extremists.
In Anambra and Imo states, troops apprehended three suspected terrorists and rescued four kidnapped individuals. In Delta and Rivers states, six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin, were detained.
Troops further conducted successful clearance operations in Borno and Yobe states, neutralizing multiple terrorists and capturing key insurgent figures, including senior fighter Abdullahi Ali.
Military forces also thwarted terrorist attacks, destroyed improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and conducted engagements in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states, resulting in threats eliminated and weapons, radios, and stolen vehicles recovered.
Kangye emphasized the military’s dedication to protecting citizens, urging public cooperation.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities to protect Nigerians in line with our Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations,” he stated.
