The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has lauded Operation Delta Safe’s Joint Task Force for dismantling 1,129 illegal refineries from February to date.
Badaru, during his visit to the South South Operation Delta Safe Headquarters in Bayelsa, commended the troops’ sustained fight against oil theft and criminalities.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, on Friday in Abuja.
He said that crude oil production had risen to 1.7 million barrels per day, and is expected to reach 2 million by December and 2.5 million by mid-2025.
Badaru urged the troops to eliminate crude oil theft and protect critical infrastructure.
Rear Admiral JU Okeke, Commandant, Headquarters, Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe, reported an 85 per cent drop in crude oil theft and illegal refineries in Q2 and Q3 2024, resulting in increased crude oil output.
“President Bola Tinubu appreciates the troops’ efforts,” Badaru added.