By Tom Chiahemen, (ABUJA) –
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE and other operations in the South-South region of the country have arrested a total of 71 criminals and aborted the theft of oil products worth N173,985,650.000 within the last two weeks.
This feat was achieved by the troops in continuation of the sustained the war against oil theft, illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta through aggressive patrols, raids and clearance operations amongst other activities.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Musa Danmadami, who disclosed this during the bi-weekly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said the operations were conducted at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, River State, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state, with yielded appreciable results.
He also announced that a total of 27 terrorists and other criminal elements were neutralized, while 167 suspected bandits, political thugs, cattle rustlers and logistics suppliers were arrested across the six geo-political zones of the country between February 23 and March 9, 2023.
In addition, he said, a total of 27 AK47 rifles, 74 sheep and cash sum of NN10,798,680 were recovered, while 42 civilians and other kidnapped victims were successfully rescued from their abductors.
This is even as a total of 1,332 terrorists and members of their families were forced to surrender as they could no longer withstand the onslaught by the Nigerian troops.
Speaking further on the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta, Major-general Danmadami said, “Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations in the South South zone within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refining sites, 341 storage tanks, 31 wooden boats, 260 ovens and 15 dugout pits.
“Troops also recovered 209,000 litres of crude oil, 145,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 27 variety of weapons, 468 assorted ammunition, 2 speed boats, 2 outboard engine, 8 vehicles and 4 motorcycles while a total of 71 criminals were arrested.”
On the military operations in the North-East zone, he noted that within the last 2 weeks, “troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 1 LMG, 7 rounds of 5.56 ammo, 1 LMG link containing 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 200 rounds of LMG ammo, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special, 12 rounds of refilled 7.62mm special, 2 dane guns, 4 AK47 magazines loaded with 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 24 AK 47 magazines, 1 36 hand grenade and 1 motorcycle.
“Troops equally neutralized 8 terrorist, arrested 35 terrorist logistics suppliers and rescued 19 civilians while a total of 1,332 terrorist and their family members comprising 222 adult males, 411 adult females and 699 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of Operations.
Concerning the North-West zone, Danmadami said, “within the weeks in review, troops in the North West zone recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 158 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 locally fabricated weapon, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, 2 dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 1 handheld radio, 9 bicycles, 39 rustled cows, 74 sheep and the sum of N10,595,580.00 only. Troops also neutralized 13 bandits as well as rescued 23 kidnapped victims.”
According to the DMO Director, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA in the South East zone of the country have sustained the fight against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist, aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the zone.
“Within the weeks in review, troops recovered 4 pump action rifles, 7 pistols, 27 cartridges, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunitions, 1 cutlass, 1 knife, 3 cars keys, 9 mobile phones and the sum of N203,100.00. Troops also nuetralise 2 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist and arrested 14,” he said.