LAGOS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- In line with Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's call on reinforcing security presence in Niger Delta region, Nigerian military operation in the oil-producing zone has beefed up security around offshore oil facilities to forestall illegal lifting of crude oil, local media reported on Monday.

    Chris Musa, commander of the military joint task force in Bayelsa in the Niger Delta region, told newsmen that the action followed Friday's arrest of a vessel laden with 150,000 tones of suspected stolen crude oil.

    The commander said the task force was not only fighting crude oil theft, but also making efforts to wipe out militancy in the region.

    Nigeria's restive Niger Delta region witnessed a string of attacks on oil facilities by militant groups last month.

    Yar'Adua ordered army to reinforce security presence in the oil-producing area after the Bonga oilfield and terminal, one of Nigeria's key oil-exporting outlets, was attacked.