By Faith Adama

The Nigerian military has achieved major progress in combating illegal oil theft, preventing nearly a billion Naira in losses to the national economy, according to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations.

In a statement on Thursday, Major General Buba highlighted the military’s recent successes in the ongoing battle against oil theft and its broader counter-terrorism efforts.

As part of its operations, the military has intensified efforts to dismantle illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta, recovering large quantities of stolen crude oil and illicitly refined products.

The operations led to the discovery and destruction of 78 crude oil cooking ovens, 56 illegal refining sites, and extensive oil storage equipment.

Additionally, over 872,000 liters of stolen crude oil and nearly 68,000 liters of illegally refined petroleum products were seized, along with 12 vehicles and 9 mobile phones linked to the illegal operations.

“These actions have saved the country an estimated N921.8 million, securing vital oil revenue and mitigating the economic fallout from this illegal activity,” said Major General Buba.

The military’s operations have played a crucial role in reducing the financial impact of oil theft, which has long been a significant drain on Nigeria’s economy.

In addition to disrupting oil theft, the military has targeted criminal groups associated with terrorist organizations, leading to the arrest of 51 individuals involved in various crimes, including oil theft.

The operations also resulted in the recovery of over 140 weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition, further crippling the capabilities of criminal networks.

The Nigerian military emphasized the strategic importance of these efforts in ensuring national security. The armed forces continue to engage in intelligence-gathering, airstrikes on terrorist strongholds, and ground assaults on illegal oil refining operations to weaken criminal groups and reduce their resources.

Major General Buba underscored the significance of these efforts, stating that they not only protect the nation’s economy but also contribute to the broader fight against terrorism and insurgency.

“We are committed to dismantling the criminal networks that threaten our economy and national security.

“Our operations in the Niger Delta have yielded significant results, and we will maintain our focus on targeting illegal activities that hinder our nation’s progress,” he concluded.

Through these focused military operations, Nigeria is steadily curbing oil theft and terrorism, safeguarding vital national resources and ensuring its economic future.