Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified operations against economic saboteurs in South-South region.
Speaking at the biweekly Defence Headquarters briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Bernard Onyeuko said troops discovered and immobilized a total of 39 illegal refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits and 96 storage tanks.
The briefing covered the period 6th to and 20th January 2022.
He said: “Consequently, a total 637,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations. In addition, 10 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.
“Also, troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of different caliber of ammunitions, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanized pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering.
He said troops continued operations in the different theatres with renewed vigour that recorded significant results in the period.
In he North East, he said troops neutralized atotal of 37 terrorist elements, arrested 17 of them as well as recovered 21 assorted arms and 117 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, while a total of 4 gun trucks were captured from the terrorists.
“Additionally, troops rescued a total of 16 abducted civilians within the period. A total of 863 terrorists and their families comprising 136 adult males, 251 adult females and 476 children surrounded to own troops deployed at different locations, including; Banki, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Gamboru towns in Borno State, within the period. The surrendered terrorists have been properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions. “The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI scored devastating hits on terrorists’ stronghold at Arina Chiki village in the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of the terrorist, while several others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
He said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 12 armed bandits and arrested 15 including their collaborators.
“Also, a total of 16 assorted arms and 136 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 114 rustled livestock were recovered by own troops within the period. In addition, troops recovered 3 extra magazines of AK-47 rifle and 4 motorcycles from bandits, while a total of 3 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations. Also troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested 27 criminal elements and rescued 6 kidnapped civilians. Also, troops recovered 5 arms and 69 different calibers of ammunition among other items of security concern in the course of their operations.
The operational efforts of troops in Operation WHIRL STROKE within the last 2 weeks resulted in the neutralization and arrest of armed bandits and other criminal elements, recovery of arms and ammunition as well as rescue of kidnapped civilians.
“Consequently, a total of 5 criminals were arrested, while 9 different arms including AK-47 rifles and some locally-made guns as well as 742 rounds of different calibers of ammunition were recovered. Additionally, troops rescued 2 kidnapped civilians and recovered 2 motorcycles, while large quantities of cannabis sativa were impounded in the course of the operations within the same period. Peace and security meetings were held with community and youth leaders and other critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity. Some of these meetings were held at; Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia and Office of the District Head of Lau Lau LGA of Taraba State.
