Troops destroy 47 illegal refineries in one week

The troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 47 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region of the country in one week.

The Director of Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces in Abuja on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Buba said the troops also discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, and 22 storage tanks in the last one week.

Navy uncovers 2 illegal refineries in Delta

He said the military personnel also recovered 1.1 million litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined diesel as well as 13 speedboats, one tricycle, four motorcycles, and three vehicles.

The defence spokesman revealed that the troops also apprehended 18 perpetrators of oil theft and denied oil thieves an estimated sum of N1.7 billion.

Buba added: “Troops also recovered 22 assorted arms, one magazine, and 55 assorted ammunition.

“Troops have maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft.”

The Star