The Defence Headquarters has revealed that the troops of Operation Delta Safe has identified and also destroyed twenty-seven (27) illegal refineries alongside ninety-six (96) equipments.
This disclosure was made in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday by Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations.
He highlighted that the troops also foiled oil theft worth over N31.4 million including 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 2,700 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, and 1,240 litres of Premium Motor Spirit in the operation.
He also enumerated other items recovered from the operation to include outboard engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and nine vehicles.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 34 dugout pits, 13 boats, one barge, one tug boat,40 storage tanks, and nine drums.
“Furthermore, 27 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered,” he said.
Kangye also made it known that the troops also undertook anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations on June 1 in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta.
He also made it known that about three (3) criminal suspects were arrested while substantial arms and ammunitions were recovered in the process including mobile phones, laptops, television sets, and vehicles.
He also made it known that the troops also apprehended 13 suspected vandals in Sapele, Aniocha North and Ugheli Local Government Areas of Delta, as well as Degema and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of Rivers and Bayelsa.
