By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said, that troops of Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other operations, arrested no fewer than 19 suspected oil thieves, recovered 1,055,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 854,500 litres of crude oil, and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine.
The Military High Command added that the troops also discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites,
equipment and petroleum products.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, said this at 2023, inaugural biweekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigerian and other security agencies’ operational activities across the federation.
He said: “Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe in the South-South Zone of the country have continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region through aggressive and increased tempo in raids and clearance operations as well as patrols, amongst other activities.
Accordingly, the land, maritime and air component of Operation Operation Delta Safe, conducted operational activities at the creeks, waterways, high seas, towns, and cities of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State to checkmate the activities of criminal elements and deny them freedom of action. Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops discovered as destroyed several illegal refining sites, 1,075 cooking ovens, 343 storage tanks, 154 dugout pits, 28 wooden boats, and 1 AK47 rifle”.
He added that troops equally recovered 2 barges, 7 tankers, 56 cars, 12 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1
speedboat, 1 tug boat, 7 motorcycles and 1 tricycle.
All recovered items and apprehended suspects, Gen. Danmadami said, have been handed over to the appropriate
authority for further action.
EFCC releases Doyin Okupe, apologizes for arrest
He added that petroleum products worth eight hundred and ten million, nine hundred and fifty-seven thousand four hundred and seventy-five thousand Naira (810,957,475.00) only were denied, oil thieves.
He equally said, the air component of Operation Delta Safe conducted an air interdiction operation over Okomabio, identified as an illegal refining site which was observed to be active with white and blue coloured makeshift tents.
“Consequently, the location was targeted and bombarded with several illegal refining equipments destroyed thereby deterring oil thieves from operating within the Niger Delta region of the country,” he disclosed.
On Southeast, he said, troops and other security agents sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the Southeast zone.
“In furtherance to this, troops conducted operational activities in villages, forests, towns and cities of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region. Notably, on 25 December 2022, troops in conjunction with other security agents raided a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra camp at Obowo and Aboh Mbiase Local Government Area in Imo State, however, the criminals fled on sighting the troops. Troops exploited the general area and recovered 1 locally made RPG tube, 3 locally made RPG bombs, 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 58 rounds of MK2 ammo, 9 canisters, 2 AK47 magazines, 2 pump actions cartridges, 1 locally made pistol, 1 Dane gun, 3 pairs of combat boots, 11 vests, 2 vehicles and 7 mobile phones among other items,” he further said.
The Military High Command, however, applauded troops’ efforts in the various theatres of operations across the nation.
While commending the citizens for their cooperation and support, the military authority, also urged them to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.
