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Deactivated Illegal Refinery

Nigeria's Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Octopus Grip and Operation Dakatar da Barawo have denied oil thieves the sum of Six Hundred and Four Million Four Hundred and One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira (N604, 401,127.00) within 2 weeks after troops of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted several operational activities and buggies operation at the creeks, jetty, high sea and towns at different locations within Bayelsa, Delta and River State respectively.

Economic Value

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this on Thursday at the biweekly press briefing on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the Country between the period of 18 May - 1 June 2023.

General Danmadami revealed that during these operations, troops discovered and destroyed 47 illegal refining sites, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats. 

He said cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops in the South South zone recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres Dual Purpose Kerosine, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats, 1 gas welding cylinder, 1 pocking gas, 2 gas burners, 2 gas gauge, 2 adjustable spanners, 1 pumping machine, 4 outboards engines, 300 ammunitions, 15 AK47 magazines, 211 mobile phones, 3 vehicles, 100 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa, 3 and 4 pinches of substance suspected to be heroin and cocaine, 177 pinches of amphetamines and the sum of Seventeen Thousand, Three Hundred Naira (N17,300.00) only. 

General Danmadami also noted that, on 18 May 2023, troops on routine patrol arrested a suspected renowned cultist and armed robber alleged to be a member of ICELAND confraternity at Ikot Andem Community in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. 

It was revealed that the suspect have been terrorizing Ikot Andem community and its environs and also on the wanted list of the security agents. 

 Member of ICELAND confraternity

Troops also arrested a gang of suspected criminals at Otowodo junction in Ugelli North Local Government Area of Delta State who are on the wanted list of troops. It was revealed that the gang members were responsible for the continuous pipe vandalization and illegal crude oil refining within the general area and the attack on security agents between 7 and 22 May 2023 while on anti bunkering operation in the forest of Okpolo Enwle.

Gang Members

Troops also arrested 65 suspected criminals. All recovered items and apprehended suspected criminals have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action. 

Equally between 19 and 23 May 2023, troops responded to information on cult activities within some communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. 

Troops mobilized to the location but the criminals fled on sighting the troops. Troops went in pursuit of the cultist and arrested 6 suspected criminals and recovered 1 locally made pistol, knives, 3 rounds of locally made pistol ammo and some assorted substances suspected to be hard drugs. 

Arrested Cultist

He added the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE on 18 May 2023 conducted air interdiction operation at Krakrama. The location was observed to be active with illegal refining activities. Accordingly, the location was struck, with several illegal refined products and equipment destroyed in the air strike.

On 18 May 2023 he said, following human intelligence, troops raided a suspected criminals house at Ibaa community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of River State. Following the operation, troops arrested 1 woman and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 105 rounds of 7.62mm special, 55 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ball, 63 rounds of assault rifles ammo, 6 mobile phones and other sundry items.

Arrested 1 woman in  Ahoada

General Danmadami therefore urged Nigerians to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas