By Yemi Olakitan
40 illicit refining sites have been found and demolished in the last two weeks in the Niger Delta Region by the soldiers of Operation Delta Safe and other subsidiary operations, according to defence headquarters.
Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director of Defence Media Activities, announced this on Thursday, February 9, 2023, in Abuja at the biweekly news briefing on military operations.
In addition, 53 suspected oil thieves and other criminals were detained, according to Danmadami, during various operations conducted in the South South zone.
Using an aggressive and accelerated pace in raids, clearance operations, patrol, and other actions, he claimed that the forces had continued the fight against oil theft, illegal refineries, and other criminal activities.
He said that the land, marine, and air components of Operation Delta Safe carried out operational activities in the towns, cities, and creeks of Bayelsa, Delta, and River in order to stifle the criminal element’s activities and deny them the freedom to move.
In the course of operation Octopus Grip, the troops allegedly found and destroyed ten bags and five jerricans (each containing 25 liters) of illegally refined automotive gas oil on January 30 in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, as well as recovering a loaded double-barreled gun, according to Danmadami.
He said that on February 3rd, the troops had found and destroyed an illegal refining site, along with seven metal ovens, twelve metal drums, ten trench pits, six storage tanks, and 47 cellophane bags filled with illegally refined goods.
A total of 40 illegal refinery sites, 136 storage facilities, 66 ovens, 39 wooden boats, one generator, 11 vehicles, and two tricycles were all found and destroyed by forces during the weeks under review.
“In addition, troops detained 53 suspected economic saboteurs and recovered 222,000 liters of suspected crude oil, 83,000 liters of illegally refined automotive gas oil, and 1000 liters of dual-purpose kerosene.
The proper authorities has been given “all recovered items and seized suspects” for further action, he declared.
Between January 30 and February 3, according to Danmadami, the air component carried out air interdiction operations at a number of illicit refining facilities and waterways at Lelekiri, Owoko, and Biemekiri in Rivers as well as Ogiritoro in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
He claimed that the air crew in the sky had seen some sites where illegal refining was going on while other sites appeared to have been abandoned.
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The sites of the active targets were “engaged with weaponry, and the strike was observed to have resulted in the place exploding in an inferno, while the illicit refining equipment were equally destroyed,” the official continued.
Danmadami claimed that in the South East Zone, troops and other security personnel have continued the onslaught against the illegal Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.
He said that during that time, the military had carried out operational operations in the states of Anambra, Abia, Imo, and Enugu’s villages, forests, towns, and cities in an effort to bring peace and normalcy back to the area.
He claimed that during that time, the troops had found six locally built pistols, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 AK47 magazines, one SMG, one dane gun, one double barrel gun, one SMG, and three AK47 rifles.
“Among other stuff, 260 rounds of 223 Remington ammunition, a Travor 21 rifle with 23 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 11 spent cartridges, political banners, a car, combat boots for Nigerian police officers, three motorcycles, two mobile phones, and uniforms for police officers were also found.
“Troops simultaneously detained nine terrorists and neutralized four terrorists.
The proper authorities has been given “all recovered items and seized suspects” for further action, he declared.
According to a defense official, Operation AWATSE troops in the South West Zone apprehended a suspected criminal on January 27 who was planning to waybill some weapons he had in his hands at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos State.
He claimed that from the suspect, the troops seized a hand grenade, 25 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a spool of wire, and other things that were perhaps used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Danmadami claimed that on January 30, during a raid on certain communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagan, the military had detained 120 alleged drug dealers.
He claimed that among other things, the forces found a locally made pistol, 10 kg of cannabis, 5 grains of methamphetamine, 3 kg of tramadol, 8 mobile phones, and various charms.
In regards to the upcoming general elections, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, acting director of defense information, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working with the police to guarantee a peaceful election process.
Gusau claimed that the military high command had made it plain in a variety of forums that it would only assist the main election security agency.
