Naval Troops Intercept 8m Barrels of Stolen Crude, 7m Litres of Diesel

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday disclosed that naval troops intercepted no fewer than 15 million barrels of crude oil, automotive gas oil (AGO) known as diesel and other refined petroleum products in the Niger Delta region in the past two weeks.

Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, made the disclosure at a media briefing in Abuja.

He said the military recorded successes in the various theatres of operation in the six geo-political zones of the country, between June 16th and 30th, 2022.

He explained: “Troops of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo between 17 and 19 June 2022 carried out anti-illegal bunkering, oil theft and other sundry operations at various parts of Delta and Rivers States. Several wooden boats, storage tanks, dugout pits laden with illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil were discovered.

“The total of 930,000 litres of AGO and 1,150,000 litres of stolen crude oil was discovered.”

Onyeuko added, “Similarly, Operation Octopus Grip between June 16 to 26, carried out massive operations against anti-illegal bunkering, oil refining and crude oil theft in various parts of the South-south zone.

“Several storage tanks, dugout pits, oven, boats laden with both crude oil and illegal refined products were discovered by the troops”.

Within the period, he said, a total of 2,144,000 litres of AGO, 2,660,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,000 liters of petrol and 14,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine (DPK) were discovered.

“Cumulatively, in the South-south zone in the fight against oil thieves and illegal oil refining a total of 3,074,000 litres of AGO, 3,810,000 litres of crude oil, 14,000 litres of petrol and 14,000 litres of DPK was discovered.”

Onyeuko stated that 47 oil thieves were arrested while 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats, nine speed boats among other equipment were impounded.