Brig-Gen John Agim, Acting Director, Defence Information, on Thursday said that oil production has risen to an average of 2.5 million barrels per day.

The Defence Spokesman attributed the rise in oil output to the strategic approach of the joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta region.

Agim spoke at a news conference at the headquarters of the joint force christened Operation Delta Safe.

He noted that prior to the establishment of the outfit on June 24, 2016, oil production had dropped to 900,000 barrels daily.

He said that the joint force had pursued its mandate in line with the strategic directive of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, and made modest achievements in restoring peace to the hitherto restive region.

He said: “Some of these achievements include enhanced safety of lives, rise in crude oil production, recovery of arms and ammunition, seizure and impoundment of stolen crude, destruction of illegal refineries and arrest of oil thieves.

“Others include successes achieved in prosecuting cases, profiling of suspects and persons of interest and conduct of in-theatre operations. The hitherto incessant attack on oil and gas infrastructure has abated.

“Attacks on gas pipelines further reduced the nation’s power generating capacity. As at when the force was activated on June 24, 2018, oil output had dropped from 2.2 million barrels to 900,000 barrels per day.

“It is gratifying to note that as at date, the production levels are averaging 2.5 million per day while NNPC management recently affirmed that pipeline vandalism had dropped significantly.”

He further said that the joint force had cleared the Niger Delta region of identified militants’ camps whose activities have threatened national security while the threats have been effectively neutralised.

On recovery and mopping up of arms Agim said from January 1, 2017, till date, the force recovered 1,389 different types of arms and 20,352 ammunitions from militants and other hostile elements.

The Spokesman said that within the period, 24 vessels used by oil thieves were seized, 191 barges, 234 outboard engines and 476 passenger boats were impounded by troops of Operation Delta Safe.

Also, 105 tanker trucks, 228 vehicles, 610 pumping machines, 76 generating sets, and other Sunday items used by oil thieves and operators of illegal refining sites were seized.

Agim said the joint force had raided and destroyed 1,437 illegal refinery sites, 793 wooden cargo boats popularly called Cotonou boats, 3,872 metal tanks and 1,019 plastic tanks were destroyed during raids.

He applauded the support of the public towards achieving the feats and urged them to furnish the military with actionable intelligence to nip crime in the bud and make Niger delta region safe for legitimate socio-economic activities.