Courageous troops of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE and other operations in the Niger Delta region of the country have seized
N173, 985, 650.000 worth of crude oil with concomitant arrest of 71 suspected criminals, interpreted in top quarters as the gallant Nigerian military’s further assurance of economic normalcy in the oil-rich area.
Director Media Operations, DMO, Major General Musa Danmadami at a regular bi- weekly press briefing on Thursday in Abuja on the activities of the military against insurgents and criminals between February 23 and March 9, 2023 said that troops achieved the feat against odds.
This feat was achieved by the troops in continuation of the sustained war against oil theft, illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta through aggressive patrols, raids and clearance operations during which they discovered 74 illegal refining sites, 341 storage tanks, 31 wooden boats, 260 ovens and 15 dugout pits, among other activities.
Major-General Musa Danmadami said that the operations which were conducted at the creeks, waterways, high seas, towns and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, River State, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state, recorded huge results.
He disclosed that 27 terrorists and other criminal elements were neutralized, while 167 suspected bandits, political thugs, cattle rustlers and logistics suppliers were arrested across the six geo-political zones of the country within the period under review.
According to him, a total of 27 AK47 rifles, 74 sheep and cash sum of N10, 798,680 were recovered, while 42 civilians and other kidnapped victims were successfully rescued from their abductors, pointing out that 1,332 terrorists and members of their families had to surrender due to the onslaught by the Nigerian troops.
“Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations in the South South zone within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refining sites, 341 storage tanks, 31 wooden boats, 260 ovens and 15 dugout pits.
“Troops also recovered 209,000 litres of crude oil, 145,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 27 variety of weapons, 468 assorted ammunition, 2 speed boats, 2 outboard engine, 8 vehicles and 4 motorcycles while a total of 71 criminals were arrested.
On military operations in the North-East zone, he noted that within the last two weeks, the troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 1 LMG, 7 rounds of 5.56 ammo, 1 LMG link containing 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 200 rounds of LMG ammo, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special, 12 rounds of refilled 7.62mm special, 2 dane guns, 4 AK47 magazines loaded with 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 24 AK 47 magazines, 1 36 hand grenade and 1 motorcycle.
“Troops equally neutralized 8 terrorists, arrested 35 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and rescued 19 civilians while a total of 1,332 terrorist and their family members comprising 222 adult males, 411 adult females and 699 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations.
On North-West zone, Major General Danmadami said, “within the weeks in review, troops in the North West zone recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 158 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 locally fabricated weapon, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, 2 dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 1 handheld radio, 9 bicycles, 39 rustled cows, 74 sheep and the sum of N10, 595,580.00 only. Troops also neutralized 13 bandits as well as rescued 23 kidnapped victims.”
According to the DMO Director, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA in the South East zone of the country have sustained the fight against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist, aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the zone.
“Within the weeks in review, troops recovered 4 pump action rifles, 7 pistols, 27 cartridges, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunitions, 1 cutlass, 1 knife, 3 cars keys, 9 mobile phones and the sum of N203,100.00. Troops also nuetralise 2 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist and arrested 14,” he said.
Major General Danmadami also disclosed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and WHIRL STROKE in the North Central zone sustained the offensive against terrorists and other criminal elements in their general areas of operation.
“Operational activities were conducted at different locations and in villages within Bassa and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Operational were also conducted at Guma and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.
According to him, on 26 February 2023, following credible information, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested 5 suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 35 rustled cattle at Lobirin village in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
