Military Arrests 9 Oil Thieves, Deactivates 107 Illegal Refineries

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe and other operations in the South-South region of the country have arrested nine oil thieves, deactivated 107 Illegal oil refineries and seized stolen products worth N277,357,800.

The director of Defence Media Operations Major General Musa Danmadami who briefed journalists yesterday on activities of Armed Forces of Nigeria between 9th and 23th March,2023, said the troops destroyed 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits and 22 wooden boats.

He said the troops on patrol within Igbematoro-Kolama waterways in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State and Owa Aleru village in Ika North East local government area of Delta State responded to a kidnap incident but no contact was made.

However, he said the troops exploited the area and recovered one AK47 rifle and two magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally made pistol, one cartridge, 70 rounds of 7.62mm special, five cutlasses and four mobile phones amongst other sundry items.

Also, on 19th March 2023, troops responded to election disruption within Ogbakiri community in Emouha local government area of Rivers State and arrested 12 armed thugs.

He said the troops also recovered four AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, four AK47 magazines, one pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition, one pump action gun, four cartridges, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special and one hilux vehicle.

Cumulatively, he said troops of “Operation of Delta Safe” in the conduct of “Operation OCTOPUS GRIP” and “Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO” within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits and 22 wooden boats.

“Troops equally recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 1 fibre boat, 5 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 10 new Geepee tanks, 1 tricycle and 6 vehicles while a total of 9 suspected criminals were apprehended”.

Meanwhile, he said the sum of N277,357,800 was denied by oil thieves in the region.

He said all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over the appropriate authority for further action

In a related development, he said troops of “Operation AWATSE” in the South West region on 10 March 2023, in conjunction with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency raided Awuyaya and General paints at Ajah general area in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos State.