N2.6billion Crude Oil Stolen In Two Weeks Recovered As Military Arrests 104 Suspected Oil Thieves
Afimag.com –
Troops in the Niger Delta Area in a military operation have recovered stolen crude oil and other related products worth more than N2.6billion.
The Military High Command in Abuja made this known through the Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Edwin Buba, in a statement on February 16, 2024.
Buba, who said 131 dugout pits, 67 illegal refining sites, and 125 storage tanks were discovered and destroyed, added that a total of 104 suspected oil thieves have been arrested.
According to the statement, the gallant military personnel have improved on the federal government coffers by denying the culprits access to over N2.6billion stolen crude products.
the statement said, “In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N2,602,902,800.00 only. Troops also arrested 104 perpetrators of oil theft.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 131 dugout pits, 70 boats, 12 storage tanks, 12 motorcycles, 2 tricycles and 12 vehicles.
“Other items recovered included 43 cooking ovens, 12 pump machines, 6 speedboats, one outboard engine, and 67 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 3,282,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,050 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 5,925 litres of DPK.”
Nigeria is currently having a difficult time under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu which saw the prices of commodities skyrocketing coming after naira depreciation and inefficient economic policies.
The price for premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol has recorded over 400% hike in less than one year of Tinubu’s reign.