The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa says it has destroyed more than 400 illegal mini refineries operated by oil thieves in state.
The NSCDC Commandant, Mr Desmond Agu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the illegal refineries were destroyed between January and March.
Agu said that the command now had a gunboat to fortify its operational capacity and had intensified patrols in the coastal settlements and waterways in the state.
He said that the intensified patrols by the command had led to the arrest of ex-militant leader and his gang, whom he said, were being prosecuted.
Agu said that the corps had deployed its personnel to provide security to critical national assets and oil facilities across the state.
“We have made some arrests concerning the recent cases of vandalism at Agip’s oil fields in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state,” he said.
(NAN)