Troops impound 2.8million liters of Stolen Crude Oil, 3.8million liters of Stolen AGO; Destroy 30 Illegal Refining Sites, Arrest 25 Saboteurs in Niger Delta; Neutralize 96 bandits/terrorists; rescue 8 kidnapped victims in North West.

In its continued onslaught against economic saboteurs, oil thieves and operations of illegally refining facilities, troops of the Nigerian military have in the last fortnight, seized/recovered  a total of Two Million Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two thousand Nine Hundred (2,852,900) liters of stolen crude oil and Three Million Eight Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand (3,862,000) liters of stolen AGO.

This is just as troops arrested 25 economic saboteur and also discovered, and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, cooking 29 ovens, 9 receivers, 12 coolants, 73 storage metal tanks, 248 polythene bags, 16 boilers, 8 pumping machines, 14 wooden boats, 29 dugout pits, 2 speed boats, 4 trucks, 1 bus, 44 drums of AGO, 3 outboard engines, 1 Barretta pistol, 3 locally made pistol, 8 explosive devices, evacuated 57 galvanized pipes.

In the war against banditry and terrorists in the North West Zone of the country, troops neutralized 96 Bandits and rescued 8 civilians while 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 pump action guns, 1 locally made pistol, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 phones were recovered.

In the North East, another set of 174 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their family members comprising 43 adult males, 58 females and 73 children from villages around Bama and Dikwa LGA of Borno surrendered to troops.

Making this known on Thursday, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Benard Onyeuko said “Troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted operations against oil thieves and other criminal element in Rumuekpe, Ogbunku Creek Ndele area in Emohua Local Government Area, Idoha, Ozochi communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Elele Owerri in Ikwere Local Government Area and Chokocho in Etche Local Government of Rivers State.

“Also, troops conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering and refining in Ndoro, Beneside, Ojobo communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area and Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Other locations are Elume, Ekoko creeksin Obolo, Yokri area, Yeye and Safama creeks in Warri South Local Government Area, Ajomo, Deli, Ogheye and Tibo creeks, Abiteye, Olero Opuama, in Warri North and Ogodo communities in Warri South West Local Government Area.

Other areas were Egwe Creek, Obodo Creek in Warri South Local Government Area, Ajomo Creek in Warri North Local Government Area, Afremo in Warri South West, Abo in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Okohia community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

In the North West, Onyeuko said, “Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji oon clearance patrol on 1 March in Bakin Dutse, Gadawa Daji Camp and Brunkoza Village in Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State encountered terrorists, and following artillery bombardment from ground troops and Close Air Support from the air component neutralized 6 terrorists and forced the rest to flee in disarray.

“Troops exploited the area and recovered 574 rustled cattle, 22 motorcycles, 3 AK 47 rifles and 21 rounds ammunitions. Similarly, troops also conducted operational activities in Gargwaje Village in Gusau Local Government Area, Danmarke Village and Goronyo Mailele axis in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Other locations are Kurami Village, Batasani, Yargamji in Batsari Local Government Area, Dantambara, Kolumbo, Tsambe Daji, Kyabbo Village in Jibia Local Government of Katsina State and Dankolo in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

“Consequently, the operations resulted in the neutralization of 90 Bandits, 8 civilians were rescued, and 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 pump action guns, 1 locally made pistol, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 phones were recovered. Cumulatively, the operations neutralized 96 terrorists, rescued 8 kidnapped victims, and recovered large cache of ammunitions. All rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions.

In the North East, “ Troops of Operation Hadin Kai’s operational efforts yielded significant results in some locations such as: Mandara Mountain, Kwatara hill, Fadagwe Village in Gwoza Local Government Area, Timbuktu Triangle, Buk Village in Damboa Local Government Area, Hawul Village and Mallam Fatori in Biu Local Government Area all in Borno State.

“Notably, troops during a robust clearance operation engaged Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist at Mandara Mountain in Gwoza Local Government Area and Timbuktu triangle in Damboa Local Government Area Borno State. During the encounter 10 terrorists were neutralized.

“Troops also recovered 4 AA-guns, 2,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 10 bicycles, 1 unexploded Improvised Explosive Device, 1 MOWAG APC, 1 truck mounted with 122 artillery gun, 1 machine gun, 4 AK 47 rifles, 1 60mm Mortar tube with 5 bombs.

“Similarly, troops had an encounter with Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists along Debiro-Shaffa Village in Hawul Local Government Area, 2 terrorists were neutralized and items recovered include 1 AK 47 rifle, 3 magazines, 143 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 Dane gun, 1 pump action rifle and 6 cartridges.

“Furthermore, the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province have continued to surrendered to own troops at different locations in the theatre, a total of 174 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their families comprising of 43 adult males, 58 females and 73 children from Villages around Bama and Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State surrendered to own troops. All surrendered terrorists and their families have been profiled.

In the North Central, “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted kinetic and non-kinetic operations in areas such as Akula, Alijo, Hillega, Ihuwakaa, Akirga, Tse Mela in Yooyo Council Ward, Tyodoo in Mayongo Council Ward of Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Kwanta Sule Village, Gbekyor in Guma Local Government Area, Tse Ogo Village in Ugbaam Council Ward, Tse Jundo in Mbamema Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area and Tse Kyegh Ugondo in Logo Local Government Area all in Benue State.

“The renewed intensity by troops in the fight against banditry and other criminal elements resulted in the destruction of many bandits camps.

“Notably on 24 February 2022, while on fighting patrol, own troops responded to a distress call from Tse Mela in Yooyo Council Ward of Katsina Ala Local Government Area about the criminal activities of Iortyom Wuave aka ‘Janta’ notorious armed militia gang leader on Operation Whirl Stroke wanted list. Troops mobilized and moved to the location and in a subsequent gun battle with own he was neutralized.

“Relatedly on 25 February 2022 troops raided the hideout of the notorious armed bandits at Tse Jundo in Mbamena Council Ward in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. During the shootout with troops, 2 of the notorious armed one bandit’s Terdoo Kiorga aka ‘Apaapa’ and Orkulam Mom aka ‘Orbutee’ were neutralized.

“The duo had been on the wanted list of Operation Whirl Stroke and is known to have unleashed mayhem on Zaki Biam and its environs in the past.

“Furthermore, 5 AK 47 rifles, 1 pimp action rifle, 1 pistol, 1 local made gun, 3 AK 47 magazines, 127 pieces of 5.56mm rounds, 6 pieces of 9mm rounds, 4 rounds of 7.62mm, 12 cartridges, 5 cell phones and assorted charms were recovered and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.

“In another development, troops on patrol and clearance operations encountered bandits in Kutunku, Baban Lamba Villages in Wishishi and Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State. In the encounter, 7 bandits were neutralized, 3 AK 47 rifles, 5 magazines, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 37 motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were recovered.

“Within the period review, Operation Whirl Stroke cumulatively neutralized 9 bandits, recovered 8 AK 47 rifles, 8 magazines, 208 special ammunitions, 15 cell phones.

Operation Whirl Stroke also non-kinetic operations in order to alleviate the poor living of people in the IDP Camps. As part of these non-kinetic operations, Force Commander distributed some food, sanitary and sundry items to the internally displaced persons in Ortese, and Daudu Camps both in Benue and Keana in Nasarawa State.

“Also, troops conducted series of peace meetings with heads of local communities and youth leader’s to workout modalities for maintaining peace in their domain. One of such meeting was conducted at the palace of His Royal Majesty Aku Uka of Wukari, Dr Ishaku Ada Ali with heads of local communities and youth’s in attendance.”