The Nigerian military on Thursday has said, its land and air component Troops of the Joint Task Force, operation DELTA SAFE in the South South, South East Zones have discovered and destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, arrested 40 suspected economic saboteurs and the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Million Three Hundred Ninety Nine Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N125,399,460.00) only were denied oil thieves.
Troops also arrested 10 suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network members including a high profile sponsor of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this at the biweekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the Country.
The Director said, within the weeks in focus troops discovered as destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 48 cooking ovens, 103 storage tanks, 27 dugout pits and 33 wooden boats. Troops also recovered 1 tug boat, 1 barge, 3 pumping machines, 3 speed boats and 13 vehicles
Additionally, troops recovered 274,000 litres of crude oil, 71,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 15 Ak47 rifles, and all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
He noted that crew observed the sites to be active make shift tents sighted as well as illegal refining activities been carried out. The targets were engaged with weapons and the locations were observed to have exploded in an inferno while the illegal refining equipment’s were also destroyed.
The Director added that, following credible intelligence, troops raided suspected criminals hideouts at Ugwoba town in Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu State and Mbosi village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and arrested 10 suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network members including a high profile sponsor of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.
Troops recovered 2 pump action rifles, 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 4 cutlasses, 1 axe, 1 vehicle, 5 mobile phones, substances suspected to be cannabis and the sum of N16,000.00 only.
He added that, on 17 January 2023, troops had a meeting engagement with Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals close to their check point along Orusumoghu-Ukpor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The criminals fled with gun shoot injuries, troops exploited the area and recovered 4 Improved Explosive Devices, 1 vehicle, 4 locally made explosive pipes, 8 cartridges, 1 locally made grenade and 1 single barrel gun.
Equally, on 23 January 2023, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police personnel conducted fighting patrol to Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals camps at Usham and Amamputu villages in Oguta Local Government Area in Imo State but no contact was made.
Troops however, condoned and search the camp and recovered 7 pump action rifles, 2 AK47 rifles, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 double barrel gun, 4 locally made hand grenade, 17 live cartridges. Others are 9 motorcycles, 2 vehicles, 6 mobile phones and 37 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis.
Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 9 pump action rifles, 1 double barrel gun, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4 locally made hand grenade, 17 live cartridges, 4 IEDs, 4 locally made explosive pipes, 8 cartridges, 1 locally made grenade, 1 barrel gun, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 4 cutlasses, 1 axe, 1 vehicle, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N16,000.00 only.
Troops equally neutralized 6 terrorists, arrested 24 and rescued 16 civilians. All recovered items, apprehended suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
The military high command commendations on troops efforts in the various theatres of operations across the nation. The media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in our quest to restore peace and security to our dear Country.