Troops Maintain Onslaught Against Oil Thieves
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, says, the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Eight Million Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Naira (N128,260,990.00) only were denied oil thieves in the country.
Speaking at the biweekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes recorded in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the Country in the past 2 weeks, Danmaďami, said, troops recorded significant results in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations which were conducted in the various theatres of operations.
The brief covered operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the Country between the January 26 to February 9, 2023.
Danmadami, said cumulatively, in the South South Zone, within the weeks under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 136 storage facilities, 66 ovens, 39 wooden boats, one generator, 11 vehicles and 2 tricycles.
He said, troops also recovered 222,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene while 53 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.
The air component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted air interdiction operations to several illegal refining sites and creeks at Lelekiri, Owoko and Biemekiri in Rivers State as well as Ogiritoro in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State between 30th January to 3rd February, 2023.
Over head the air crew observed some site to be active with illegal refining activities at the locations, while some were observed to have been abandoned.
The active targets locations were engaged with weapons and the location were observed to have exploded in an inferno after the strike, while the illegal refining equipment were equally destroyed.
According to him, all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
