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The Defence Headquarters says, the Joint Task Force of Operation DELTA SAFE has been relentless in their kinetic operation in the last 7 weeks of it operations (April 20) arrested 141 oil thieves, discovered and destroyed 337 illegal oil refineries, 1,052 metal storage tanks, 515 ovens, 68 wooden boats, it also confiscated 59 vehicles, 16 outboard engines, 11 rifles.
Director, Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko while briefing media on the operational activities and the successes recorded by the troops as the country celebrates its 23rd democracy during the bi-weekly press briefing on Thursday at the Defence Headquarters Abuja said the kinetic operations which are geared towards eradicating illegal oil activities in their Joint Operational area.
Onyeuko noted that during the period in focus troops of DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted operations in creeks, towns and communities in Delta and River States.
"A total of 26 illegal refining sites, 35 wooden boats, 74 storage tanks, 79 ovens, 28 dug out pits, 3 speed boats, 2 outboard engines, 20 pumping machines, 2 rifles, Two Million Two Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand (2,264,000) litres of stolen crude oil, One Million One Hundred and Forty Two Thousand (1,142,000) litres of AGO and 10 oil thieves were arrested by own troops", he noted.
General Onyeuko also revealed that in the sustained fight against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs, troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO conducted by operation DELTA SAFE has continued to record more successes in their operations in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States.
"A total of 13 illegal refining sites, 6 reservoirs, 84 ovens, 107 storage tanks, 21 storage pits, One Million Five Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand (1,578,000) litres of AGO, Two Million Two Hundred Sixty Thousand (2,260,000) litres of stolen crude oil, 2 trucks with sludge, 22 wooden boats, 3 fibre boats, 4 tankers and scores of suspects. All arrests and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action
The Director Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko emphasized the commendation of the military high command to the troops in the various theatres and entire populace for the support given to the Armed Forces and security agencies in the conduct of their operations. And also the media for their partnership and cooperation with the military and other security agencies in the quest to return peace to Nigeria.