According to the Nigerian Army, its 6 Division soldiers have demolished 22 illicit refining facilities around the Niger Delta and detained 19 alleged oil thieves.
Over 180,000 liters of stolen petroleum products, valued at an estimated N150 million, were recovered as a result of the operation, according to the statement.
Lt. Col. Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, made this announcement on Monday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Danjuma, the raid came after a concerted one-month operation conducted in four states with assistance from other security services.
He emphasized that troops will continue to control the operational environment and deny criminal elements freedom of action, noting that the operations targeted pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and related crimes in the Niger Delta.
“The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division troops, working closely with other security services, have maintained their command of the operational environment, thereby preventing criminal elements from operating freely throughout the Niger Delta Region.
“Over 180,000 liters of stolen products, worth over N150,000,000.00, were recovered, 22 illegal refining hubs were destroyed, and 19 suspected oil thieves were apprehended in several operations,” the statement stated.
