War Against Economic Sabotage: Troop’s Immobilize 39 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta; Eliminate 53 Terrorist’s/Bandit’s in N-East/N-West; As 863 BHT terrorist’s/Families Surrender

Against the backdrop of the sustained fight against economic sabotage against oil theft in the country, troops of Operation Delta Safe have discovered and immobilized a total of 39 illegal refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits and 96 storage tanks in the Niger Delta region in the last two weeks.

Also, a total 637,500 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; and 950,000 liters of Stolen Crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko who made this known at a briefing on Thursday stated that, “In addition, ten (10) criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested.

“Also, troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of different caliber of ammunitions, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanized pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations. All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action”.

Onyeuko said troops’ of Delta Safe conducted these operations at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Emohua, Ikwere, Port Harcourt and Ahoada LGAs of Rivers State.

Other locations are villages, towns and creeks in; Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs of Delta State as well as in Ekeremor, Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Bayelsa State.

“Also, operations were conducted at Opobo creek and some communities in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State as well as Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, which yielded significant results within the period.

On war against terrorism and banditry, Gen Onyeuko said /insurgency, he said troops neutralized a combined total of 53 terrorists and bandits after several confrontations in the North East and North West.

“Within this period, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized a total of 37 terrorist elements, arrested 17 of them as well as recovered 21 assorted arms and 117 rounds of different calibers of ammunition, while a total of 4 gun trucks were captured from the terrorists.

Additionally, troops rescued a total of 16 abducted civilians within the period. A total of 863 terrorists and their families comprising 136 adult males, 251 adult females and 476 children surrounded to own troops deployed at different locations, including; Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Bayo, Kukawa, Monguno, Nganzai and Damboa LGAs of Borno as well as locations in the Sambisa forest.

“The surrendered terrorists have been properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.

“Troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe States, around the Mandara Mountain and along Damaturu – Potiskum road, respectively.

“Notably, ground troops with the support of the Air Component aggressively foiled terrorists’ attempted infiltration into Biu town in Borno State. During the encounter, troops neutralized scores of the terrorists and captured their gun trucks and other weapons.

“These operations resulted in the elimination and arrest of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms, ammunition, livestock and other items of security concern as well as rescue of abducted civilians.

“Furthermore, troops’ operational activities have continued to drive terrorists out of their camps into surrendering with their arms and families in the North East Zone of the Country.

“Relatedly, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai scored devastating hits on terrorists’ stronghold at Arina Chiki village in the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of the terrorist, while several others escaped with various degrees of injuries.

“This feat was achieve on the 14 January 2022, when on the heels of credible intelligence, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatch to attacked the identified location which the terrorists used as venue for biweekly meetings. Consequently, the NAF platforms took out the terrorists in successful turns of airstrikes.

“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji combating banditry eliminated 12 armed bandits and arrested of 15 including their collaborators in the North West during clearance operations on criminal enclaves.

“Some of the locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results are; Gurbin Baure – Shimfada road, Gidan Saleh and Girnashe villages as well as Jibia town in Jibia LGA, all in Katsina State. Other locations were; Wasagu town in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State and Kara Kalmalo village in Ilella LGA of Sokoto State.

“Also, a total of 16 assorted arms and 136 rounds of different calibers of ammunition and 114 rustled livestock were recovered by own troops within the period. In addition, troops recovered 3 extra magazines of AK-47 rifle and 4 motorcycles from bandits, while a total of 3 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.

Troops of Operation Safe Haven in the North Central Zone, within the period arrested 27 criminal elements and rescued 6 kidnapped civilians.

“Also, troops recovered 5 arms and 69 different calibers of ammunition among other items of security concern in the course of their operations.

“Some of the operations were executed at; Shendam in Shendam LGA, Rukuba road and Apata area in Jos North LGA; Tyana community in Riyom LGA, Vom town in Jos South LGA, Tudu village in Bokkos LGA, Gassa Sho Hills in Barkin Ladi LGA and Kampani village in Wase LGA, all in Plateau State.

“Other locations are; Afana Bujja Forest and Gidan Waya village in Jama’a LGA as well as Kaffin village and Kiffin Chawai Chiefdom in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State.

In the course of the operations, troops arrested some criminal elements including armed robbers and bandits, their collaborators, drug peddlers and fraudsters as well as rescued kidnapped civilians and recovered several items of security concern.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke within the period arrested 5 criminals were arrested, while 9 different arms including AK-47 rifles and some locally-made guns as well as 742 rounds of different calibers of ammunition were recovered.

“Additionally, troops rescued 2 kidnapped civilians and recovered 2 motorcycles, while large quantities of cannabis sativa were impounded in the course of the operations within the same period.

“Some of the operations were conducted at; Mblash village in Katsina-Ala LGA, Igumale forest in Ado LGA, Abande village in Kwande LGA and Apia village in Gwer West LGA of Benue State.

“Other locations were; Gongola Clinic area; Tor-Damisah and Abako villages as well as Wukari – Takum road, all in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.

“Peace and security meetings were held with community and youth leaders and other critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.

“Some of these meetings were held at; Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia and Office of the District Head of Lau – Lau LGA of Taraba State.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies across the Country have and will continue maintain their stand in the efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of actions.

The Military High Command appreciates the troops for their sacrifices in the various theatres of operation and commends their courage and resilience in combating the security challenges across the Country.

“The general public is highly appreciated also, for the cooperation given the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the course of our operations.”

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