The military high command on Thursday said its operations across the Niger Delta region have denied oil thieves from stealing crude oil estimated at N4bn from the country.
The command said within this period, over 6.6 million litres of stolen crude oil; 3.5 million litres of AGO; 200,000 litres of DPK, and over 65,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirits were recovered from oil thieves within the period under review.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this in Abuja during the quarterly briefing on the operations of the military across the country between June and August 2023.
He said, “Troops operations in the South-South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following; 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,558,325 litres of illegally refined AGO, 288,650 litres of DPK, and 65,600 PMS. All amounting to an estimated sum of N4bn denied to the oil thieves. Thus, saving the nation from losing this money to economic saboteurs.”
Buba also said troops during various operations across the country arrested a total of 2,328 criminals, while those in the North East killed no fewer than 814 terrorists.
Buba said, “Our operations across the six geopolitical zones from June to August 2023 reveal that; we neutralised 814 terrorists and arrested 1,326 criminals. We arrested 42 kidnappers, 231 collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners, 191 suspected oil thieves, and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 4,560 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops.”
Buba stated that a total of 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition and 674 other equipment among others were recovered from criminal elements.
He said, “Troops recovered a total number of 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition, and 674 other equipment. The breakdown of these arms and ammunition is as follows; 117 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, 5 revolvers, 28 fabricated rifles, 11 fabricated pistols, 57 Dane guns, 23 pistols, 24 pump action guns, 3 FN rifles, 3 GPMGs, one double barrel gun, one barreta pistol, one G3 rifle, 2 HK21 rifles one IED, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,008 rounds of 7.62mm special, 30 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm, 512 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 190 rounds of 5.5mm, 39 rounds of 9mm, 29 rounds of PKM, and 19 cartridges.
“Troops equally recovered: one RPG tube, three hand grenades, one locally made hand grenade, one locally made bomb, two rifle butts, one AK47 barrel, one GMPG barrel, two MG links, 98 AK47 magazines, two G3 magazines, 2 FN magazines, two PKT magazines, 2 LMG magazines, two tear gas launchers, one bulletproof vest, 49 vehicles, 213 motorcycles, 48 bicycles, 69 mobile phones, five boating radios, four woodland camouflages, two boots, 74 knives, 71 handsets, 11 laptops, 13 steering rods and pumps, 45 machetes, and 25 jack knives.”