Clearance operations: N471m stolen crude recovered, 54 terrorists eliminated in two weeks — DHQ

By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that ongoing operations to frustrate economic sabotage in the South- South region of the country, have resulted in the recovery/ seizure of stolen crude oil and other products worth N471,205,425.00.

Nigerian Defence authorities made this disclosure on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Musa Danmadami who spoke on the sustained clearance operations by the Nigerian troops under various theatres. The operations also saw the recovery of over nineteen million naira that denied terrorist elements freedom of action in parts of the North. Danmadami’s media briefing in Abuja which focused on successes of the Nigerian troops within two weeks, between November 17 and December 1, unveiled that no fever that 54 terrorists comprising Boko Haram and ISWAP elements were eliminate, while hundreds surrendered to the offensives of the troops.

“The troops also seized over 200 motorcycles and arrested 54 criminals”, he said.

Similarly, he said, “Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe has sustained kinetic operation geared towards sustaining a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive and deny criminals the opportunity to carry out their illegal oil theft activities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively. “Cumulatively, between 17 November and 1December2022, the land and maritime component of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP discovered and destroyed 81 illegal refining sites, 254 storage tanks, 173 cooking ovens, 118 dugout pits, and 36 wooden boats.”

“Equally, troops recovered 1,060,500 litres of crude oil, 391,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 11 cars, 6 tankers, 8 pumping machines, 3 motorcycles, 2 outboard engines, 1 tricycle, and 5 AK47 rifle loaded with 10m rounds of 7.62mm special, while 81 criminal elements were also apprehended during the various operations.”

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East and HADARIN DAJI in the North-West parts of the country neutralised 54 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.

According to Danmadami, troops on stop and search operation arrested five collaborators at Daudawa village in Faskari local government area of Katsina State with the sum of N19,500,000.00 in their possession.

He added that 139 terrorists and members of their families comprising of 27 males, 44 females and 68 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre.

“Between 17 and 24 November 2022, troops conducted various ambushes, raid and clearance operations against Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists at different locations within the theatre.

“During these operations troops made contact with the terrorists; following various fire fight troops neutralized 7 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists while others fled with various degree of gunshot wounds.

“Troops equally recovered 13 AK47 rifles, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 AK47 rifles magazines, 3 dane guns, 9 bicycles, and 3 motorcycles; while 10 kidnapped civilians were also rescued during these operations, he said.”

Continues, “troops on fighting patrol made contact with Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP logistics suppliers while trying to drop logistic items for the terrorists at Bama village in Bama local government area of Borno State.

“Following the encounter, troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered one carton of Klin detergent, one JTF jacket and 51 gallons of groundnut oil, among other items.

“A notorious Boko Haram Terrorist/ISWAP logistics supplier was arrested on November 20, 2022, at a checkpoint in Bama local government area conveying 49 jerrycans of 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 50 packs of energy drinks, among other sundry items in a vehicle, while the sum of N70,510.00 was also recovered from the suspect.

“All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, while the surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and members of their families were being profiled for further action.

In the North-Central, the DHQ spokesperson said troops recovered 12 AK47 rifles, three pistol revolvers, two vehicles, rescued nine civilians, and neutralised three criminals”.

He said all recovered items, rescued civilians and arrested criminals were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, while the motorcycles recovered from the criminals were crushed at an open field in the presence of all relevant agencies.
• _Maj-Gen Musa Danmadami_