Military thwarts N1.2bn crude oil theft as production raises –DHQ
By Matthew Atungwu
As Nigeria’s capacity to produce oil rose in September, the Defence Headquarters announced on Thursday that troops had, in the previous two weeks, intercepted stolen crude worth N1.2 billion.
This was said on Thursday in Abuja by Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, during a briefing for media about the military’s recent two-week operations.
The spokesman for the Defence Department pledged to render terrorists incapable of carrying out tactical strikes on vulnerable targets.
He also said troops, during their operations, killed 73 terrorists, arrested 182, and rescued 68 hostages in one week.
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He said, “The ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
“The Military will continue to degrade their ability to carry out small-scale attacks which are intended to create panic in localities.”
The director noted that the troops identified and destroyed 63 illegal refining sites containing 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, four outboard engines and arrested 14 suspected oil thieves.
Buba added that the troops recovered 962,500 liters of stolen crude oil, 35,420 liters of illegally refined AGO, 38,450 liters of DPK, and 45,000 liters of PMS with an estimated value of N1, 212,046,140.
Recall that the nation’s ability to produce oil was being diminished by oil theft, which was a significant problem.
Nigeria’s production capacity grew to 1.7 million barrels per day in September from 1.1 million barrels per day in August, thanks to an enhanced campaign against oil theft.
