Efforts of the Military is yielding good results as the military recovered stolen crude oil from oil thieves.
Troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have recovered crude oil and petroleum products valued at over N3.5 billion from oil thieves in the Niger Delta region within the last three months, the Defence Headquarters has disclosed.
The military operations, aimed at curbing oil theft, piracy, and pipeline vandalism, led to the destruction of 174 illegal refining sites and the recovery of 45 vehicles used by vandals.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, revealed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. He said the recovered products include 2,381,239 litres of stolen crude oil, 605,393 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), 41,465 litres of kerosene (DPK), and 26,905 litres of petrol (PMS).
In addition, no fewer than 12 suspects were arrested, while troops also recovered various arms, ammunition, and explosives from the criminals.
“15 victims abandoned by suspected militia/pirates were rescued by troops during an offensive operation in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on June 28,” Maj.-Gen Kangye said.
“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 52 crude oil cooking ovens, 21 dugout pits, 11 boats, 36 storage tanks, 36 drums and 25 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and six vehicles.”
Giving an update on military successes against terrorists and bandits in the past three months, the defence spokesman said troops killed several terrorists’ kingpins and their foot soldiers, arrested over 1,191 of them and rescued 543 kidnap victims.
“During the quarter, about 682 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops,” he said.
Among the terrorists eliminated in the battlefield, accident to defence spokesman, include the dreaded Amir Abu Fatimah, kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada and Nwachi Eze, a commander of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network,(ESN) otherwise known as Onowu.
“Two days ago, bandit kingpin Yellow Danbokkolo succumbed to injuries sustained during an encounter with troops.
“Additionally, some notorious gunrunners and kidnappers on the troops’ watch list, including Buhari Umar, Hassam Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Adamu Dan Mai, Idi Yusuf, Hassan Bello, Muhammed Isah, Shimu Ilu Adamu, Ismaila Ilu Hassan, Michael and Shittu Muazu Bakassi, were arrested,” he said.