By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian military has flagged off a special operation code named Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO (Operation Stop the Thief at Onne Port Harcourt aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta area.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko made this known in Abuja at the bi-weekly press briefing on troops activities in the theatre of operations currently ongoing in parts of the nation.
Onyeuko said the Operation Stop the Thief was on Friday 1 April 2022 launched to secure critical maritime infrastructure and to create enabling environment for the sustenance of desired level of hydrocarbon production, safe shipping and economic activities.
He added that objectives to restore investor confidence in Nigeria Maritime domain and troops in other theatres of operation especially in the North East, North West and South South has not dimmed the light on the huge gains and success achieved by own troops in Be that is may, own troops would not relent on the arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
He said, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai between 28 - 31 after several days of surveillance of terrorists activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot.
General Onyeuko noted that, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians, of significant is the surrendered of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to own troops in Bama. He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba.
While a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorist and families surrendered to troops comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children as at 5 April 2022. Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
The air component of Operation Thunder Strike ýintercepted and neutralized scores of the terrorists in Kaduns and Niger States. Accordingly, 34 terrorists were neutralized while 14 locally fabricated guns and 17 motorcycles were recovered. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. Also, on 31 March 2022 a large concentration of terrorist were sighted around Kusasu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to eyewitness account.
The Nigerian Navy recorded a milestone in indigenous systematic survey and charting of our offshore waters. The commencement of the indigenous survey and is necessary to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiative through maritime security, maritime trade and transport. The indigenous surveying and charting will also lead to safety on our waters and boost confidence of mariners.
With this achievement Nigeria has joined the elite group of chart producing nations in the world. Hitherto Nigeria sourced its charts from Europe. Nigerian Navy took delivery of a new Ship NNS KADA. The change of flag was carried out in UAE by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff.
Troops in OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre have continued to dominate the zone and conducted anti crude oil theft and anti-illegal oil bunkering related operations discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, 2 cooling systems, 3 receivers, 3 storage pits and b metal drums in Rivers, and Delta States.
OPERATION SAFE HAVEN theatre of operation organized cultural day event as a non-kinetic measure to promote tolerance among the diverse culture and custom of the people towards harmonious co-existence with one another.
Troops in OPERATION HARADIN DAJI within the weeks under review neutralized 10 bandits, rescued 5 civilians, arrested 7 bandits and recovered 3 AK 47 rifles, 7 magazines, 5 MC and 8 dane guns. All rescued civilians, apprehended bandits and items recovered have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Own troops in OPERATION WHIRL STROKE continued sustained offensive attacks ona bandits and other criminal to checkmate their unlawful activities with operational patrols and clearance operations in various locations within the week under review recovered 3 dane gun, 10 cell phones, 2 locally made pistols, 2 smoke grenades, 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, 5 motorcycles, 1 AK 47 magazine and 5 cutlasses. Troops also neutralized 3 bandits and apprehended 9 bandits. All recovered items as well as the apprehended bandits were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
The military high command wishes to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians on the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to deal with all terrorists and other criminal elements in the Country.
The events of the last few days should not bring despair to the populace. The Armed Forces of Nigeria committed in its resolve to bring peace back to the country as we are stepping up our operations in all the theatres. We thank the entire members of the media community for keeping faith with us.
