The Defence Headquarters says, about 27 pipeline vandals in South South zone were arrested while a total of Five Million One Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand Five Hundred (5,159,500) litres of substance suspected to be crude oil and One million Four Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand (1,432,000) litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered.
Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Onyeuko revealed this today at the bi-weekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters of the geo-political zones of the Country.
Onyeuko said the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of operation OCTOPUS GRIP in the South South zone conducted operational activities in the creeks, communities and towns in the Niger Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States
He pointed out that troops discovered and destroyed 80 illegal refining site, 60 wooden boats, 316 storage tanks, 262 ovens and 87 dugout pits. Troops also recovered 9 speed boats, 15 outboard engines, 19 pumping machines and 17 vehicles.
He noted that the Statistic above shows a significant loss to the economy of the Country and accordingto him it has a street value of about Two Billion Five Hundred and Thirty Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred Forty Three Naira Eight Kobo (N2,534,771,543.08). However, the number of arrested individuals have also increased and could reduce the illegal activities of these of oil thieves.
Onyeuko also said South West zone troops of Operation AWATSE intercepted large consignment of smuggled foodstuff along Seme - Badagry - Owode Road and a smuggler depot along Road Aiyetoro - Abeokuta and Oja-Odan village of Badagry, Owode, Imeko/Afon and Odeda Local Government Area of Lagos and Ogun States respectively.
He said, during the conduct of Operation SAFE CONDUCT, troops on patrol along Road Osho - Egbedore village in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State arrested a political thug and recovered arms while troops also carried out a raid operation at Old Garage within Oshogbo metropolis and arrested a notorious kidnapper terrorizing the people of Osogbo alongside 9 of his gang members
Director, Defence Media Operations reassured that the military and other security agencies will not relent on its efforts to end insecurity in all the troubled zones.