Nigerian army troops have destroyed at least 27 illegal refinery sites and seized stolen crude oil following raids this week on illegal oil bunkering sites in the Niger Delta, a government official said on Wednesday.
Large-scale oil theft and pipeline sabotage have hampered production in Nigeria, Africa’s top energy producer, and curbed exports in recent years, crippling government finances and putting President Bola Tinubu on edge. of his greatest challenges.
The army spokesman, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said that about 100,000 liters of crude oil stolen during the raids were seized. Three vehicles loaded with illegally refined fuel were also seized.
The raids are part of ongoing operations to combat oil theft, Danjuma said in a statement.