Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Joint Military Taskforce operating in the South-south, Operation Delta Safe, destroyed a total of 23 illegal refineries and recovered 367,200 litres of illegally acquired crude oil in the month of July 2023 alone, the Defence Headquarters has said.
OPDS also recovered 27,150 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil, commonly known as diesel, destroyed 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits, while arresting a total of 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period in the region.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed these while briefing newsmen on the operational activities of the Armed Forces across the six geopolitical zones of country on Thursday.
Buba noted that an estimated sum of N202million was denied the oil thefts during the period in focus.
He said, “Troops discovered and destroyed 23 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits.
“Troops equally recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of AGO, 220 assorted rounds of ammunitions, six calibers of weapons, three vehicles and 10 motorcycles. Troops also arrested 25 suspected economic saboteurs.
“The air component of Operation Delta Safe conducted several air interdictions to degrade and restrict the activities of oil theft.
“Notably, on 10th and 11th July 2023, the air component Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction missions at Samkri and Elem-Kalabari, respectively. Overhead the locations, the active illegal refining sites were engaged with rockets and some eqpt were destroyed.
“On 10 Jul 23, troops of Operation Delta Safe with Pilgrims Security Service personnel responded to criminal activities around Chinese Camp in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. Troops pursued the criminals and arrested five suspects as well as recovered four motorcycles, stolen cables and casted steel conveyor bearing balls.”
