Nigeria: Military Destroys 167 Illegal Refineries, Arrests 18 Alleged Oil Thieves

DHQ also said a total of 778,500 litres of crude oil, 840,300 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 625 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were also recovered.

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe and Operation Dakatar da Barawo, discovered and destroyed 167 illegal refineries in Niger Delta in three weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, a major general, said this while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces between April 28 and May 19, on Thursday in Abuja.

In Operation Delta Safe, Mr Onyeuko said the troops destroyed 17 illegal refineries with five wooden boats, 89 storage tanks, 59 ovens, 12 dugout pits, six pumping machines, five trucks, and two outboard engines and two weapons.

He said a total of 778,500 litres of crude oil, 840,300 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 625 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were also recovered.

He said 18 criminals were also arrested during the period, adding that all the recovered items and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

According to him, troops in conjunction with Nigerian Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested some drug suspects during raid operations in their hideout in Effurun in Urwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

"Items recovered from them include 2.460kg of cannabis, 0.0703kg of cocaine, 0.054kg of meth, 0.067kg of loud, 0.654kg of cannabis seeds, one tablet of molly, one pump action with 15 cartridges, a Toyota Hilux and Mercedes Benz car," he said.

In Operation Dakatar da Barawo, Mr Onyeuko said the troops destroyed 150 illegal refineries with 59 ovens, 67 metal storage tanks and four wooden Cotonou boats.

He said the operations also led to the recovery of one Yamaha engine, one generator, three pumping machines, 20,000 litres of kerosine, 1.6 million litres of AGO and 2.05 million litres of crude oil.

According to him, all recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

(NAN)

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.