By Olayemi Esan, Abuja
The military has continued to carry out several operations to curb illegal oil activities and deter economic saboteurs’ freedom of action in carrying out their nefarious activities in the South-South.
Director, Defence Media Operations Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko said this on Thursday at the Defence Headquarters, while briefing Defence Correspondents on the activities of the military in the last two weeks.
He said troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted series of anti-illegal oil operations at Orutoru area in Bayelsa State; Olutoro and Adamakiri villages in Bonny LGA, Udeyeada Community in Andoni LGA of Rivers State; and Opuebubor Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta States in the South-South Zone of the Country.
Onyeuko noted that, Nigerian troops discovered and deactivated several illegal refining sites with a total of 21 ovens, 12 dugout pits and 58 metal storage tanks laden with a total of 2.329 million litres of illegally refined AGO and 2.19 million litres of stolen crude oils as well as 2 boilers and 750 bags of illegally refined oil products.
"During the operations, troops also recovered one speed boat, one AK-47 rifle, one FN rifle, 3 Smoke gun rifles, 12 fabricated RPGs, 263 live cartridges, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 7.62mm special ammunition among other items" he said.
Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko also revealed that, security forces ambushed and neutralized 6 IPOB/ESN members, who were involved in the killing of a District Police Officer (DPO) at Omuma Town in Orlu East LGA of Imo State.
He added that, one notorious IPOB/ESN member named Obumneke Gabriel who was in possession of arms and ammunition during the arrest was apprehended in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State.
Troops also raided IPOB/ESN members’ hideout in Enugu and in Ebonyi States, neutralising 6 members and arrested 13 criminal elements.
He said, troops also recovered a total of 19 AK-47 rifles, 2 single barrel Dane guns, one G3 assault rifle and 3 locally-made pistols.
Other items recovered were 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 daggers, and one locally-made double barrel pistol loaded with 10 rounds of cartridges were recovered in the course of the operations.
The Armed Forces and other security agencies have and will continue to remain committed to fight all forms of criminality until sustainable peace is achieved in our dear country.
