The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the country’s critical assets, warning that it will not tolerate any attempt to sabotage them.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja, stating that troops are actively protecting oil refineries and other key national assets in the Niger Delta region.

His remarks follow recent explosions at oil pipelines in Rivers State. Kangye revealed that troops of Operation Delta Safe had intercepted crude oil theft worth approximately ₦461.7 million within a week.

According to him, security forces recovered 247,629 liters of crude oil and 198,374 liters of illegally refined petrol. Additionally, 21 illegal refining sites were destroyed, while 33 large storage tanks and 28 vessels involved in oil smuggling were seized.

He further disclosed that 17 suspects were arrested in connection with illegal oil activities, along with the recovery of arms and ammunition.