Nigerian troops under the Operation Delta Safe have recovered 572,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Benard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations revealed this in a statement on Thursday. He also disclosed that illegal refineries being run by locals in the Niger Delta region were closed down.
Onyeuko revealed that majority of the oil theft happened in Imo, Delta and Akwa-Ibom States. Various thefts were also recorded in Rivers State.
“These operations were conducted at Opuoma and Mmahu communities in Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State; Sand Community in AkwaIbom State; Madangho Creek in Warri South West LGA, Ndoro and Beneside Communities in Burutu LGAas well as Yokri-Egbe Seashore, all in Delta State.
“Other operations were executed at Ibaa in Emohua LGA, Iyala, Buguma and Cawthorne Channel Creeks as well as Samkiri, Orutoru and Dema Abbey Communities, all in Rivers State.and Delta State.
“During the operations, troops discovered and deactivated a total of 33 illegal refining sites with 46 illegal refining units, 94 boiler ovens and 9 reservoirs.
“Also, a cumulative total of 139 metal storage tanks and 63 dugout pits, all laden with 440.2 barrels and 1,637,500litres of illegally refined AGO as well as 62.2 barrels and 572,000litres of stolen crude oil and shelter stations were discovered and treated accordingly.”
The Nigerian government in the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has stated that communities will bear the cost of pipeline vandalism except situations where it’s caused by natural causes.
Nigeria loses almost 200,000 barrels per day to oil thieves.