Military deactivates 47 illegal refining sites in one week

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 47 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in the last one week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja.

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

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

According to him, troops also apprehended 18 perpetrators of oil theft and denied oil thieves an estimated sum of N1.7 billion.

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

“Troops have maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft,’’ he said.