As the war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta thickens, troops of the Nigerian Military denied the oil thieves an estimated sum of Nine Hundred and Forty-three Million One Hundred and Sixty-one Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Naira(N943,161,680.00) only.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, while briefing journalists in Abuja, on the ongoing military operations across the country.
According to General Buba, “The recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has begun to yield a noticeable increase in the nation’s crude oil production. Though we are not yet where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production; troops will sustain the renewed vigor and momentum till the crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded.
“The ongoing operations across other parts of the country remain focused on defeating and killing the enemy wherever they are hiding. Indeed, we are in a better place today, than at any previous time.”
Highlighting successes recorded during the operations, General Buba said, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 persons. Troops also arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South-South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Nine Hundred and Forty-three Million One Hundred and Sixty-one Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Naira(N943,161,680.00) only.
“Also, troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 assorted ammunitions which include one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 Dane guns, one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover, and one baofeng radio.
“Other items recovered are 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 112 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 42 live cartridges, 6 vehicles, 32 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, 2 outboard engines, 2 pumping machines, 2 vehicles, one tricycle, 3 motorcycles, and 84 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of PMS.
“Overall, we are constantly assessing our actions, adjusting and amending our operations to annihilate terrorists across. Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity, and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.”
Accordingly, General Buba, urged citizens to note that, winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons, and finances, it also largely depends on the people.
He said, “Together we can make an extraordinary difference in wiping out insecurity in our nation.”
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