…Save huge oil revenue in nation’s coffers
Gallant Nigerian troops have within the last fourteen days stalled huge loss of Nigeria’s crude oil receipts, according to reports by the Military High Command (DHQ) which indicated that over 2.6 million liters of stolen crude oil were recovered from about 26 arrested oil thieves from whom 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats, 9 speed boats and many other items were impounded in the oil-rich South-South region of the country.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major Gen Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this at the now-popular and richly-informative bi-weekly Thursday briefing of the DMO at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, operation OCTOPUS GRIP between 16 and 26 June 2022 massively went after illegal oil bunkering, refining and crude oil thefts in various parts of the South-South Zone where several storage tanks, dugout pits, oven, boats laden with both crude oil and illegal refined products were discovered by the troops.
Within this period under review, Gen. Onyeuko explained that a total of 2,144,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) 2,660,000 litres of stolen crude oil, and 14,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 14,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene were discovered. Also, 21 criminals involved in these illicit activities were said to have been arrested.
Cumulatively, he said, in the South-South Zone, the fight against oil thieves and illegal oil refining has recovered a total of “3,074,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 3,810,000 litres of crude oil and 14,000 litres of 14,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene. Also, 26 oil thieves were arrested, 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats, nine speed boats amongst other types of equipment.
Maj Gen Onyeuzo said: “Relatedly, troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO between 17 and 19 June 2022 carried out anti-illegal bunkering, oil theft and other sundry operations at various parts of Delta and Rivers States. Several wooden boats, storage tanks, and dugout pits laden with illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil were discovered.
“The total of 930,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 1,150,000 litres of stolen crude oil were discovered. This is as troops of Operation Base Bakura Operation HADARIN DAJI on the 21st June 2022 responded to the distress call of terrorists activities at Rafin Dankura in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Troops engaged the terrorists in a shoot-out who were trying to abduct innocent civilians. After the encounter troops were able to rescue the six kidnapped civilians and neutralised two bandits in the process.
“Items recovered include 2 AK 47, 1x 36 Hand grenade, 2 x Cell phones and the sum two 211,915.00.
Similarly, “On 21 June 2022, troops made contacts with marauding terrorists at Maigora in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and neutralized two of the terrorists in the process.
The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI also carried out air interdiction on 22 June 22, at Kofar Danya Village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Following reports about the planned attack on Kofar Danya Village, the air component mobilized to the location and sighted over 150 terrorists been converged under thick vegetation.
Accordingly, Nigerian Air Force platforms engaged the terrorists with heavy bombardment which destroyed the terrorists’ concentration camp.
Consequently, credible feedback from the locals around Kofar Danya disclosed that over 82 of the terrorists suffered heavy casualties as many of them were neutralized while others sustained various degree of injuries.
Meanwhile, troops of WHIRL STROKE while on patrol at Udei general area in Guma Local Government Benue State impounded a trailer with registration KWL 846 XB along Udei-Makurdi Lafia road fully loaded with cut-to-size vandalized rail tracks and sleepers. Consequently, all the seven persons on board the vehicle were arrested as the vehicle and the suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
He also disclosed that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested Mr. Ardo Manu Abdulrahman Marenewo, a suspected gun runner, who specialized in the leasing of arms to kidnappers and other criminal elements in Taraba State. Items recovered from the suspect included 4 cell phones and a sum of N74, 340.00.
Also at Zaki Ibiam, troops, conducted raid operations at a kidnappers hideout at Maraba in Ukyongu Ityuluv Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State where one Mr Ichen Gbaka, aged 65 years, and his wife, Mrs Salomi Gbaka, a bandit collaborator were arrested.
According to Gen. Onyeuko, “On the 24th of June 2022, troops on clearance patrol arrested four suspected kidnappers at Igumale Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area Benue State All arrested criminals have been handed over to the Police for further necessary action.
“Furthermore, on 26 June 2022 own troops carried out a raid operation at a bandits’ hide out at Mbahuwuhe village in Utange council ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state. During the raid, 3 bandits were neutralized and a kidnapped civilian Mr Auva Tisa who was on a blindfold in the hideout was rescued with injuries and is presently undergoing treatment. Some items including 1 motorcycle and two cell phones among others were recovered before the hideout was brought down.
“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested two suspected gun runners. Messrs Augustine Davou Nyam and Pam Nyam (AKA TRIGGER) during an operation at Zawan and Du Communities.
“On the 20 and 25th June 2022 troops recovered one locally fabricated AK47 rifle, one dane gun and 3 cutlasses, and arrested two notorious criminals, Mr Rufai Usman and Abubakar Ahmed were arrested by troops at Ex-ladi general area.
“Also, On 28th June 2022 based on credible intelligence troops conducted clearance operation in conjunction with vigilantes at Kan Duniya Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State where he, neutralized one Mr Safiyanu Bala 25 years notorious bandit and kidnapper.
“Same day, troops on fighting patrol in pursuit of two suspected kidnappers around Sara High Ground Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State on a motorcycle also recovered 2 x AK47 rifles, 101 x rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 x magazines, 1 x motorcycle, 1 x iron digger and 2 x black jackets amongst others.
“Also, on 28the June 2022 in Fanock Village, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State and found a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABUJA KUJ 452 AZ with no occupant.
“Troops conducted search operations in the surrounding bush and rescued 3 kidnapped civilians; 2 females and a male. Similarly, on the same day troops arrested 10 armed robbery suspects at Kafanchan Town, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State. Items recovered from the criminals include TV, DVD, gas cookers, Mattrasses, woofer, phones, and scissors, among others.
“The suspected criminals are presently undergoing interrogation”.
On troops activities in the North East Zone, Gen Onyeuko disclosed that troops had intensified the tempo of their operations.
He said, “The troops carried out several operational activities in Buduwa, Bama-Pulka road, Tuwe Village, Konduga-Kawuri road, Brema in Damboa Motor Park, Tashangoto, Benishek, Kukaneta all in Borno State.
These operations, he noted, led to the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of terrorists, arrest of terrorist members, recovery of arms and ammunition and other security-related items.
“On 17 and 18 June 2022 troops of 152 Battalion at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State encountered fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province fighters and engaged the terrorists and in the encounter 7 of the terrorists were neutralized and 14 rustled cattle and 3 bicycles were recovered.”
While “On 21 June 2022 troops arrested some terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers. Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira along Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.
“Consequently, troops neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 11 and recovered 14 rustled cattle, 2 AK47 rifles, three bicycles, two locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one golf two cars.
“Also, members of Boko Haram terrorists have continued to surrender to their own troops at different locations in the theatre between 1 – 15 June 2022 a total of 4,770 of them comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children.
“All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families were profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions.”
In a related development, on June 25, 2022 a combined team of security agencies led by the 302 Artillery Regiment carried out a raid operation on proscribed Independent Peoples of Biafra and Eastern Security Network camps at Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area. After a fierce gun battle, two of the criminals were neutralized.
Several items, he said, were recovered from their camp which included two AK47 rifles, two pump action rifles, one dane gun, three magazines, five water gel Improvised Explosive Device, three generator sets, and one SUV and two cell phones.
“Furthermore, on 27th June 2022 own troops discovered a notorious hide of late Double Lion a notorious terrorist after a shot out one criminal member of the gang was neutralized.
“Items recovered from the camp include one dane gun, eight vehicles (different makes) as all recovered items are in own custody.”
The military high command commended the efforts of the troops in the various theatres, of operation across the country and the entire populace for the support given to the Armed Forces and security agencies in the conduct of their operations and also urged to them to continue to provide information on criminals in their locality.
