By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian military has informed that in recent weeks of operation in the country’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, the sum of N471,205,425 has been intercepted from oil thieves.
This was disclosed to journalists in Abuja on Thursday at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters by Major General Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations.
“Cumulatively, between 17 November to 1 December 2022, 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.
“Similarly, on 21 November 2022, troops raided suspected gunmen enclave at Ebem Community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Following the operation troops arrested 13 suspects and recovered 2 pump action guns, 2 double barrel rifles, 3 dane guns, 1 locally made pistol, 3 cartridges and 6 machetes,” Gen. Danmadami informed.
The military further informed that in the Northwest, the air component of operation HADARIN DAJI in sustenance of efforts aimed at ridding the region of terrorists activities, carried out strikes on the enclave of notorious terrorist on November 18.
In the air strikes, the military confirmed that a bandit leader and gun runner, Mallam Illa in Manawa village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was injured.
“Following the air strike on the location, it was confirmed that 7 terrorists were neutralized while Mallam Illa and some terrorists narrowly escaped with critical injuries,” the statement added.
