Nigeria soldiers had found a large amount of stolen oil during a patrol in Rivers State around the Niger Delta region.
Members of the 343 Artillery Regiment, who are involved in security exercises to protect Oando in Omoku, found the stolen crude oil in the riverine area of Ebocha Egi LII within the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
The operation conducted recently resulted in the discovery of nearly 7,800 liters of crude oil that was presumed to have been illegally refined as it was reportedly found inside 130 sacks and had been hidden along the river route.
According to reports from the intelligence officials quoted by counter-insurgency specialist Zagazola Makama, the seizure was the result of increased surveillance and patrols geared toward minimizing oil theft and the practice of crude oil refining in the area.
The seized equipment has since been secured in compliance with operational guidelines for Operation Delta Safe, which is a military operation against crude oil theft, sabotage of pipelines, and unauthorized crude oil refining in the Niger Delta region.
Meanwhile, efforts are still underway to track down those responsible for the criminal acts.
