By Tom Chiahemen (ABUJA) –
Troops of operation DELTA SAFE, in conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations in the Niger Delta region, have denied crude oil thieves the sum of N407,542,860.00 following the discovery and destruction of 50 illegal refining sites, 22 wooden boats, 237 storage tanks, 204 ovens and 30 dugout pits.
During the operations, conducted in the last two weeks, the troops also recovered 797,000 litres of crude oil, 276,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 500 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 4 pumping machines, 19 vehicles, 6 motorcycles, 1 tricycle, 8 weapons, 18 variety of ammunitions, 1 outboard engine, 2 generators and 1 speed boat.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Musa Danmadami, who made this know in Abuja on Thursday, said a total of 26 suspected criminals were also apprehended, while all the recovered items and arrested suspects from the region had been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Danmadami, who spoke at the fortnightly media briefing on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the country, further dislosed that a 57 terrorist and suspected kidnappers were neutralised between 23 March and 6 April 2023.
Giving the highlights of operational activities in the North-East zone, Danmadami said the troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 2 NSVT guns, 1 NSVT gun barrel, 1 QJC barrel, 3 RPG bombs, 1 Anti-Riot gun, 3 pump action guns, 2 hand grenades, 3 PKT MG, 3 Gun Trucks, 188 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 142 rounds of 12.7x108mm ammunitions, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 27 cartridges, 18 dane guns, 17 AK47 magazines and Improvised Explosive Device wires.
Other items recovered include 2 grinding machines, 1 vulcanizing machine, 1 mechanic tool box, tyre rims, 3 pairs of Boko Haram Uniforms, shovel, bags of assorted food stuff, cartons of spaghetti, medical supplier, solar panels, 12 motorcycles, 13 bicycles, mobile phones, boafeng radio, pouches, 1 vehicle and sum of N2,321,015.00, while “troops equally neutralized 21 terrorists, captured 9 suspected Terrorists, arrested 11 suspected terrorists logistic suppliers/collaborators, apprehended 2 terrorists and rescued 54 terrorist escapees. While a total of 974 terrorists comprising 77 adult males, 364 adult females and 533 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint areas of operation.”
He disclosed that troops in the North Central Zone recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 2 pistol rounds, machetes, 4 ATM cards, 5 SIM cards, mobile phones and other sundry items.
“Troops also arrested 9 suspected kidnappers and arrested 9 criminals for various crimes while 21 kidnapped civilians were also rescued,” he added.
From the North West Zone, the Diorector revealed that within the week in focus, troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 9 AK47 magazines, 14 dane guns, 28 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 motorcycles, radios and 76 rustled cattle.
“Troops also neutralized 24 terrorists, apprehended 19 suspected criminals and rescued 43 abducted civilians,” he said.
On the operational activities in the South-EAst zone, he said the troops recovered 2 pistols, 3 pump action rifles, 3 pump action barrels, 7 locally made guns, 14 locally made grenade, 2 K2 magazines, 1 AK47 magazine, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 motorcycles, mobile phones among other items.
“Troops equally rescued 21 kidnapped civilians, neutralized 3 terrorists’ and apprehended 12 suspected terrorists’,” he added.