By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said the coordinated and ruthless operations of troops of Operations Octopus Grip and Delta Safe have significantly reduced the evil activities of oil thieves in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

It also, revealed that the coordinated operations of the troops in the past two weeks led to the demobilization of an additional forty (40), illegal refineries in the region.

This is even as troops of Operation Safe Haven built the capacity of 122 vigilantes to help in curtailing the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements in its area of responsibility.

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Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko said this while briefing Defence correspondent on activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in all theatres of operations across the federation.

He further disclosed that no fewer than 18 terrorists were killed within the period under review, 25 bandits arrested, 125 victims of abduction rescued, and 100 family members of fleeing terrorists intercepted.

He said: “troops in Operations Octopus Grip theatre of operation have sustained pressure on economic saboteurs and other criminal elements which have significantly reduced the oil thieves’ freedom of action. Operation Octopus Grip in conjunction with Operation Delta Safe conducted operational activities in creeks, towns and communities in locations such as Mosogar, Jesse, Warri Road in Eihiope West Local Government Area, Banga, Modangho creek in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Other locations are Okubotowa creek in Akassa Brass Local Government Area, Ikebiri Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Other areas include Gawthrone channel in Bonny Local Government Area of River State, Akpabiyo Local Government Area in Cross River State and Effect water ways Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State.

“Cumulatively, within the period under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refineries, 165 metal storage tanks, 72 ovens, 23 dug out pits, 5 wooden boats, Also, recovered are one hundred and seven thousand four hundred (107,400), litres of crude oil, four hundred and fifty-six thousand four hundred and fifty (456,450), litres of AGO, six thousand two hundred and fifty (6,250), litres of PMS, 6 trucks, 3 outbound engines, 1 AK 47 rifles, troops also apprehended 21 criminal elements”.

General Onyeuko added that “within the weeks under review troops recovered 9 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 458 rustled cattle 20 motorcycles, troops also rescued 152 civilians, neutralized 18 bandits and apprehended 25 bandits. Troops also, rescued 100 terrorist family members which included 33 women. Troops also neutralized 14 terrorists and arrested 15.

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“As part of its non-kinetic measures towards ensuring the security of lives and property in the troubled parts of Kaduna State, the Theatre Command on 21 May 2022 graduated 122 local vigilantes trained to assist the security agencies to ensure the security of hinterland communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State”.

He disclosed that troops equally arrested notorious foreign and local gunrunners, as well as terrorist informants in different locations.

General Onyeuko concluded that all recovered items and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.