The Nigerian Navy announced that, over the past year, its operations against economic saboteurs have led to the arrest of 259 suspected oil thieves, the destruction of 168 illegal refining sites, and the recovery of 7.48 million litres of stolen crude. The achievements were credited to the leadership of Vice Admiral Idi Abas.
Under Vice Admiral Abas’s command, Navy personnel conducted a sustained campaign targeting illicit oil theft and refining activities that undermine the country’s petroleum sector. The crackdown involved coordinated raids and inspections along key oil-producing regions.
Illegal refining sites have long been a problem for Nigeria’s economy, diverting revenue from legitimate production and creating environmental hazards. The Navy’s actions aim to curb these losses and restore lawful control over the nation’s oil resources.
By dismantling 168 clandestine refineries, the Navy has not only reclaimed significant volumes of crude but also disrupted the networks that facilitate oil theft. The recovered 7.48 million litres represent a substantial return of stolen assets to the state.
These figures underscore the Navy’s role in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests and highlight the ongoing challenge of oil theft within the country’s oil-rich regions.
<small>Source: AllAfrica Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
