Troops bust 20 illegal refineries, confiscate 2 million litres of crude oil, says DHQ

*Arrest 2 female logistics suppliers in IDP camp, Borno

Nigerian Defence authorities said on Thursday that troops under Operation DELTA SAFE have busted20 illegal refining sites and a total of one million, two hundred and three thousand, two hundred and fifty litres (1,252,250ltrs) of illegally refined AGO and one million, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and forty litres (1,140,340ltrs) of stolen crude.

The Defence authorities made this disclosure during a media briefing in Abuja.

It also disclosed that troops arrested over 71 terrorists including two female logistics suppliers, namely; Mrs Aisha Umar, 19 years and Mrs Kaltumi Bakura, 20 years living in Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Bama in Borno state.

Giving details of the achievements by the troops within the period, spokesman of the Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, who described the operations across the North East theatre as “yielded commendable results”, added that “The sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering”.

The spokesman said “troops discovered and immobilized a total of 20 illegal refining  sites, 62 ovens, 12 cooking pots/boilers, 8 cooling systems, 19 reservoirs, 18 large dugout pits and 88 storage tanks. Additionally, 8 criminal elements, including 2 impostors were arrested and 7 arms and 3 rounds of ammunition, among other items were recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone”.

Also, troops rescued 13 kidnapped civilians within the period. Consequently, a total of one million, two hundred and three thousand, two hundred and fifty litres (1,252,250ltrs) of illegally refined AGO and one million, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and forty litres (1,140,340ltrs) of stolen crude were recovered in the course of the operations.

“Furthermore, troops neutralized 3 armed robbers and rescued 2 kidnapped civilians; while 5 criminal elements associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period”. He said

According to him “Within the period in focus, the troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results. The sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering. Some of these operations were executed at different locations in Borno and Yobe States, including; Rann, Dalayazara, Gwange Kura, Bam Buratai, Makintakuri and Muduvi villages as well as Marte – Dikwa and Buni Yadi – Jauro Bashir roads.

“In the course of these operations within the period of 2 weeks, 31 terrorists were neutralized and 71 of them arrested including 2 women logistics suppliers namely Mrs Aisha Umar 19 years with a child of (2 years) and Mrs Kaltumi Bakura 20 years all resident at IDP Camp in Bama. Also a total of 122 assorted weapons recovered.

“Additionally, a total of 97 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while a total of 1,186 of BHT elements and their families comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in Borno State.

Onyeuko said: “Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review. These operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino Town in Danmusa LGA as well as Gidan Diya village and Faskari town in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Other locations were; Gusau – Magami road in Maru LGA; Dauran village in Zurmi LGA and Munhaya forest, all in Zamfara State as well as Zodi Hills along Zuru road in Kebbi State.

“Cumulatively, a total of 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 armed bandits were neutralized and 6 kidnapped civilians were rescued; while 12 assorted arms and 77 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions were recovered within the period of 2 weeks.

“Additionally, troops held peace and security meeting with community and youth leaders and other critical Stakeholders, as a of non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges in the North West Zone of the country”.

He gave further breakdown as follows: “Troops maintained continuous vigilance and dominated Operation the entire theatre of SAFE HAVEN with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

“The general security situation in the Zone was relatively calm within the period in focus; however, some locations recorded pockets of incidents. Some of these incidents were recorded at; Boi village in Mangu LGA; Rikko, Gangere and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North LGA; Heipang village in Barkin Ladi LGA and Gumsher village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State.

“Other locations were; Gurawa village under Kundum District in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State as well as Jankasa village in Zangon Kataf LGA, Wasa Station in Sanga LGA and Agban village in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. These operations led to the recovery of 7 assorted arms, 19 rounds of 7.62mm and 104 livestock among other items.

“Troops’ response to distress calls helped to repel and forestall criminal elements and their activities, thereby leading to the rescue of 33 victims of armed bandits’ attacks and kidnap incidents and the arrest of 23 criminal elements within the period.

“Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operations by engaging youths in sporting activities. Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted Peace and Unity Marathon Competition organized by troops in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. A total of 160 participants from diverse religious and ethnic groups within Plateau State took part in the competition. At the end trophies and prices were presented to participant in the different categories”.

He disclosed further: “Operation WHIRL STROKE has continued to maintain operational tempo in both its kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the North Central Zone which yielded significant results. Within the period under review, clearance and raid operations were carried out at Gbise, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, Tungu Atogbenda, Atumbe and Ior Humber in Benue State as well as Agboda, Udeni Gida and Araba Udege communities in Nasarawa State.

“Cumulatively, a total of 19 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, 2 locally-made pistols and 6 extra rifle magazines as well as 79 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period.

“ Other weapons recovered were 36 hand grenades, pump action as well as locally-made rifles and ammunition. Also a total of 9 armed bandits were arrested and 3 kidnapped civilians rescued, 2 armed bandits were killed in the course of the operations”.

According to him “troops held peace and security meetings with community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies at Dobely community in Lau LGA of Taraba State as well as Buruku town in Buruku LGA, Iyoude community and Palaces of the District Heads of Ngbaa and Okpoga communities in Guma LGAs and Tse Dogo community in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State

He said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted land, maritime and air operations in the South-South Zone, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.

He added that within the period, several anti-illegal oil production and raid operations were executed at different locations in the Zone that yielded significant results. In the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites in Brass, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State.

•Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor