The Defense Headquarters has announced that within a week, the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and crackdowned 53 illicit refining sites, reclaimed pilfered petroleum products, and apprehended 19 individuals suspected of involvement in oil theft.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba revealed these developments during a Thursday press briefing in Abuja. Buba highlighted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria had been consistently combating crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
He reported that the troops located and eliminated 54 dugout pits, 66 boats, 138 storage tanks, 253 cooking ovens, two pumping machines, eight speedboats, 17 hoses, 18 drums, and two cylinders.
Furthermore, Buba stated that the troops successfully recovered 983,350 liters of stolen crude oil, 144,980 liters of illegally refined AGO, and 71,650 liters of DPK.
“Troops also neutralized one criminal, rescued three hostages, and recovered one fabricated rifle, 18 vehicles, and one torchlight,” he said.
In the South East region, Maj.-Gen. Buba reported that the forces of Operation UDO KA executed an impromptu operation, resulting in the apprehension of individuals suspected to be associated with IPOB/ESN in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, and Okigwe, Imo State, over the week.
He added that the troops eliminated five terrorists, detained 12 individuals believed to be involved in criminal activities, and successfully rescued seven individuals who had been kidnapped.
According to him: “Troops recovered two locally made guns, four rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, one FN rifle barrel, IED materials, 10 water gel explosives, three detonators, one detonating cord among others.”
“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”
The spokesperson for the defense forces disclosed that the military had discovered and rendered inoperative several locations serving as sanctuaries for criminals in different operational zones.
He disclosed that these wrongdoers were utilizing national parks, wildlife reserves, and forests throughout the nation as their refuge.
“The military has identified several of these `safe havens’ and operations are targeted towards ensuring that they are completely dismantled.”
“Recently, one of such hideouts in the southeast was invaded by troops, and they found unspeakable and unprintable activities going on in the invaded camps.”
“It goes to tell us that these extremists are cannibals, feasting on fellow human beings and conducting other forms of dastardly acts,” he said.