161 suspected oil thieves, others arrested by Nigerian troops

No fewer than 161 suspected oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta have been arrested by Nigerian troops in the last two weeks. Dozens of terrorists were also killed by the troops across the country during the period. Brig-Gen. Abdullahi Ibrahim, Officer in the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, said this in Abuja. He said troops of Operation Delta Safe, operating in the Niger Delta region, destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, while about N503.6 million were denied the oil thieves during the period.

Ibrahim said the soldiers recovered 1,675,700 litres of crude oil, 74,500 litres of automotive gas oil, 10 vehicles, 20 motorcycles, eight weapons and 330 assorted ammunition and arrested 42 economic saboteurs.