Military Operations Saved Nigeria From Losing N4 Billion In Oil Theft

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed on Thursday that the military operations across the Niger Delta region have recovered millions of liters of oil from oil thieves and saved the country N4 billion.

Maj. Gen. Buba revealed that between June and August, the operations saved 6.6 million liters of stolen crude oil, 3.5 million liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 200,000 liters of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and over 65,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirits.

"All amounting to an estimated sum of N4bn denied to the oil thieves. Thus, saving the nation from losing this money to economic saboteurs," he said, Punch reported.

Maj. Gen. Buba further shared that the military officials arrested a total of 2,328 criminals across the country while the troops killed more than 814 in the Northeast.

"We arrested 42 kidnappers, 231 collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners, 191 suspected oil thieves, and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 4,560 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops," he added.

He further shared that the military troops recovered 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition and 674 other equipment from these criminals.

Maj. Gen. Buba shared the breakdown of these arms and ammunition include 117 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, 5 revolvers, 28 fabricated rifles, 11 fabricated pistols, 57 Dane guns, 23 pistols, 24 pump action guns among others.

Moreover, the criminals had two tear gas launchers, one bulletproof vest, 49 vehicles, 213 motorcycles, 48 bicycles, 69 mobile phones, five boating radios, four woodland camouflages, two boots, 74 knives, 71 handsets, 11 laptops, 13 steering rods and pumps, 45 machetes, and 25 jack knives.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)'s Commandant General Ahmed Abubakar Audi warned the oil thieves in June and asked them to leave the country while directing his personnel to ensure that these oil thieves are arrested.

This warning came after Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Femi Gbajabiamila said in May that Nigeria might lose $23 billion this year to crude oil theft.

Oil theft is a big issue in Nigeria while the country is already dealing with hiked fuel prices, after President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidy.