Op UdoKa checkmates IPOB/ ESN in S’East, as military sets to go after sponsors of illegal mining

…uncover 89 illegal oil refining sites in N’Delta

“The criminalities perpetrated in the Southeast region by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network is being brought to the bearest minimum through activities of troops of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, the Defence Media Operations, spokesman Major General Edward Buba has said.
He shedded light on the development. Hear him, “Troops of operation UDO KA offensive operations led to arrest of suspected criminals in Aba North and Owerri North of Abia and Imo States respectively. a. Arrest of Suspected Criminals. Between 4 and 6 September 2023, in a separate operation, following intelligence reports, troops arrested 6 suspected criminals in Aba North and Owerri North of Abia and Imo States respectively. “Preliminary investigation revealed that 2 of the suspects were impersonating as NCS and NIS personnel. “In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 11 suspected criminals and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, 7 pump action guns, 4 magazines and 34 cartridges.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action”.
The Director of the DMO, Buba reiterated that the armed forces will therefore remain focused on the conduct of its operations in support of national security interests.
Speaking on update on the oil thefts crime, Buba said, “the upsurge in anti-illegal oil bunkering operations by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South Region has yielded desirable outcomes”.
The Director who spoke at the media briefing on the operational successes of the Nigerian military in the various theatres of operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja, added,”this is indicative by the appreciable improvement in the country’s daily crude production”.
Buba went on to say, “Our ongoing operations reflect the commitment of the military to end terrorism and insurgency in the country.
“The priority of our operations is the protection of the citizens as well as villages, towns and cities from the senseless violence of terrorist and other violent extremist groups”.
The Director gave a breakdown of the troops’ activities, saying, “our activities in Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast have effectively curtailed Boko Haram and other terrorist activities in the Region. “This is indicative by the large-scale surrender of members of the terrorist groups and the submission of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
“Similarly, the operational activities of troops in Operation HADARIN DAJI and Operation WHIRL PUNCH have made significant impact to curtailed banditry and insurgency in the North West and North Central Regions of the Country.
“During the course of operations in the last one week, the military neutralized 151 terrorists, arrested 456 terrorists and arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft. “Troops also rescued 76 kidnapped hostages and denied oil theft of the sum of One Billion, Eleven Million Eight Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,011,851,250) only. “Furthermore, troops recovered 216 assorted weapons and 443 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown as follows: 62 AK47 rifles, 7 pump action guns, 19 dane guns, 3 berreta pistol, 10 locally fabricated rifles, 5 locally made pistols, 399 IED detonator primers, 225 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 round of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 57 cartridges, 49 magazines, 21 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, one tricycle, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N3,194,450.00. “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 235 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machine, one outboard engine, 2 speedboats, 89 illegal refining sites and the sum of N13,950.
“Troops recovered about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined AGO, 22,650 litres of PMS and 3,000 litres of DPK. Interestingly, the perpetrators of the terrorist and insurgency activities are using it as a guise for their personal gain through illegal mining and other unlawful activities.
“For instances, the foot soldiers carryout the illegal mining from mining pits, while their sponsors are in the cities and town, moving around as normal citizens to dispose the proceeds. “The situation underscores the importance of ongoing military operations which is critical to the nations effort to achieving peace and security.
“The military is up to the challenge and more than ever before, the outcome is not in doubt”.