233 illegal refineries were destroyed in four states in 2023 as part of “Operation Still Waters 3” by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division, Port Harcourt.
The four refineries that were destroyed were situated in the South-South region’s rivers, delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, according to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, the division’s General Officer Commanding (GOC), made the announcement on Monday in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of the army’s 2023 West African Social Activities celebration.
He said that 1,112 suspected oil thieves were detained by the division during the special military drill in the four states.
Abdussalam promised that the army would build on its 2023 successes to help the federal government meet its 2024 crude oil output goal.
He asserts that the army can only live up to expectations if its members continue to be motivated, focused, and dedicated to carrying out their assigned duties.
According to him:
“In 2023, we successfully completed scheduled exercises with a lot of positive gains. Worthy of note is the field training exercise tagged “Exercise Still Waters 3.
“The exercise has gone a long way in curtailing criminal activities and other heinous crimes in the 6 Division’s area of responsibility.
“Over the duration of the exercise, we were able to make 1,112 arrests; destroyed 233 illegal refineries, and seized 1,111,900 million litres of illegally refined petroleum products.
“Troops also impounded 72 trucks and other vehicles and recovered more than 356 arms and ammunitions during the period.
“We must ensure zero tolerance for oil theft and activities that will affect peace and stability across the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
“We will continue to contentiously perform our constitutional roles to defend democratic values.
“We will not rest, and we will continue to go after criminals who attack us until we get them and make them to pay a higher price for their crimes.’’
cc: Vanguard Ng
