KMilitary troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 21 illegal refining sites, 57 dugout pits, 19 boats, 53 storage tanks, 94 cooking ovens as well as recovered 309,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,675 litres of illegally refined AGO and 49,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine during raid at Oshimili and Ahoada East LGAs of Delta and Rivers States.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba made this known on Friday in a press statement on the joint Task Force military operations in all 6 geopolitical zones of the country.
According to Major General Buba troops Operation DELTA SAFE who had continued their clamp down on the activities of oil thefts and illegal bunkering also arrested 7 suspects, discovered about 57 dugout pits, 19 boats, 53 storage tanks, one vehicle, 94 cooking ovens, 2 motorcycles, recovered arms and ammunition and destroyed IPOB fighters worship centre in Ozubulu Okpanam of Delta State.
He said on 31 Jul 23, troops raided suspected IPOB/ESN camp at Ugwu-Nwosu in Ugboolu in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State. The criminals fled on sighting troops approaching their camp. Troops exploited the general area and recovered 2 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones, one phone charger. Troops destroyed a compound used by the IPOB fighters as a worship centre at Abacha Camp in Ozubulu Okpanam in the same LGA.
He noted that following intelligence, on 2nd August 2023, troops raided the suspected militants’ hideout within Akugnoko - Odiabidi Community in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one of the militants while other fled into the Forest. Troops exploited the general area and recovered one G3 rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo, 2 x G3 magazines, 2 Motorola HH radios, 8 mob phones, one power bank as well as one ID card. Troops also destroyed the camp.
He said, the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted a close air support in support ground troops at IPOB terrorist’s hideout at North West Owerri on 31 July 23. Overhead, the location targeted was engaged with aircraft guns complementing own troops’ fire power.
Major General Buba also said Troops of Operation UDO KA arrested Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal in Nnewi North LGA of Enugu State. Troops also conducted raids on illegal oil dumps and illegal refining site in Aba South LGA of Abia State.
He added that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 2 criminals, apprehended 2 trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO and recued 4 kidnapped hostages.
On 1 August 2023, troops on patrol at Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA of Enugu State arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN criminal with a pistol bridge block. Efforts is ongoing to recover other parts and source of weapon.
On 3 Aug 23, troops raided the general area in Aba South LGA of Abia State. During the operation, troops discovered oil dumps at different location with suspected illegally refined products at Enyimba, Joedels Ent Ltd and Neprove Filling Stations along Aba – Port Harcourt Expressway. Troops also apprehended 2 trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO at Enyimba and Neprove Ent Ltd Filling Stations. The trucks were moved to a safe location and destroyed in-situ.
Major General Buba therefore reiterated that the determination and tenacity of the troops have continued to yield positive results thereby shrinking the space for perpetrators of insecurity in the country. Given, the active participation of citizens in exposing the activities these evil elements. Their days are surely numbered to either surrender now or exit this world. The military would sustain the momentum, therefore "Know Something, Say Something, and Military will do Something".