The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday 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 Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, said this at the 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 the Operation Delta Safe, conducted operational activities at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns, 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 and 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 two barge, seven tankers, 56 cars, 12 pumping machines, one outboard engine, one speedboat, one tugboat, seven motorcycles and one tricycle.
All recovered items and apprehended suspects, Gen. Danmadami said, have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
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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 air interdiction operation over Okomabio, identified as 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 equipment 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 one locally made RPG tube, three locally made RPG bombs, two AK47 rifles, two pump action guns, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 58 rounds of MK2 ammo, nine canisters, two AK47 magazines, two pump actions cartridges, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, three pairs of combat boots, 11 vests, two vehicles and seven 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.
Director Defence Media Operation, Major General Musa Danmadami, made this disclosure while briefing Defence correspondents in Abuja.He further disclosed that one hundred and sixty-nine victims of terrorist abduction and kidnapping were rescued within the period.
This is even as three hundred and seventy-seven terrorists and their families surrendered to troops of operations Hadin Kai, in Northeast theatre of operations.
Major General Danmadami said: “troops equally neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 18 terrorists as well as 21 terrorist logistics suppliers, two terrorist foreign informants and five kidnappers. Troops also rescued 47 abducted civilians while a total of 377 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising of 52 adult males, 126 adult females and 199 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operations”.
He added that the land and air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, in the Northwest zone of the country sustained offensive operation on terrorists’ enclaves, camps and hideouts within the zone.
“Between 7 and 8 January 2023 troops conducted dawn attack at terrorists crossing points in Sunke and Gado forest in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“In these operations, troops neutralized 10 terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition.
Equally, troops apprehended a terrorist’s collaborator at Madachi in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State at a check point with sum of One Million Five Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N1,590,000).
The suspect revealed that he was sent by one Nasiru, a notorious terrorist on the wanted list of security agents, responsible for the killing of several locals in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
