Military stops N1.2 billion worth of stolen crude oil as output rises

As Nigeria’s oil production capacity increased in September, the Defence Headquarters stated on Thursday that troops had intercepted stolen crude worth N1.2 billion in the last two weeks.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, made this statement on Thursday in Abuja at a briefing for media about the military’s recent two weeks’ worth of operations.

The spokesman for Defence promised to render terrorists incapable of carrying out targeted small-scale assaults on vulnerable targets.

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He added that in a single week, military actions resulted in the deaths of 73 terrorists, the arrest of 182, and the release of 68 captives.

“These evil elements have been prevented from accomplishing their strategic objectives by the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations,” he declared.

“The military will keep deteriorating their capacity to conduct targeted small-scale attacks meant to incite fear in the community.”

The director reported that 14 people who were suspected of stealing oil were detained while the forces located and demolished 63 illicit refining stations, which included 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, and four outboard engines.

Buba continued, “With an estimated value of N1, 212,046,140, the troops recovered 962,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 35,420 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,450 litres of DPK, and 45,000 litres of PMS.”

According to Obasanjo news24, oil theft has been a significant issue, reducing the nation’s ability to produce oil.

Nigeria’s production capacity grew to 1.7 million barrels per day in September from 1.1 million barrels per day in August, thanks to an enhanced campaign against oil theft.