Theft: Nigeria loses N1.33bn crude oil in two weeks ― DHQ

The Military High Command on Thursday said that the nation has lost crude oil valued at N1,313,020,242.00 to oil thieves involved in illegal bunkering activities in the region in the Niger Delta region of the country in the last two weeks

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadamim disclosed this to defence correspondents at the bi-weekly press briefing on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other Security agencies from the various operational theatres in the six geopolitical zones of the Country towards ending insurgency activities in the country.

According to him, ” Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued the war against oil theft and illegal bunkering and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta to sustain a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive in the South-South region of the Country.

“Consequently, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of operations, OCTOPUS GRIP and Operation DAKAR DA BARAWO conducted operational activities in creeks, villages, communities and towns

“During the operation troops also discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, which include, 493 dugout pits, 512 storage tanks, 413 cooking ovens and 59 wooden boats.

“Also, troops recovered 4 tankers, 2-speed boats, one generator, one outboard engine, 14 pumping machines, 3 AK47 rifles, Twenty Five Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Seven and Fifteen (25,977.15) Barrel of crude oil, Three Million Two Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand One Hundred and Thirty (3,236,130) litres of Automotive Gas Oil, Twenty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy-Five (26,575) litres of Premium Motor Spirit and Two Thousand (2,000) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine.

“Cumulatively, a total value of products denied oil thieves from the period in the review are One Billion Three Hundred and Thirteen Million Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Two Naira (N1,313,020,242.00) only of crude oil, Two Billion Three Hundred Seventy Four Million Six Hundred and Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy One Naira (N2,374,607,471.00) only of AGO, Four Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N4,650,625.00) only of PMS and Fifteen Million Nine Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand Naira (N15,981,000.00) only of DPK. Consequently, a grand total of Three Billion Seven Hundred and Eight Million Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira (N3,708,259,338.00) only was denied the oil thieves”

General Danmadamim while adding that 21 pipeline vandals were arrested during the operations by the gallant troops said that all recovered items and apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

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