Nigerian Military Strikes a Major Blow Against Oil Thieves, Recovers Crude Worth N277.3 Million in N’Delta
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Nigerian Military Strikes a Major Blow Against Oil Thieves, Recovers Crude Worth N277.3 Million in N’Delta
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigerian Military has announced the recovery of crude worth N277.3million from oil thieves in the Niger-Delta region of the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, DMO, Major General Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure during the bi-weekly briefing on the successes recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity and other criminal activities across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria.
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According to Danmadami, the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe and other operations in the South-South region have continued to sustain the war against oil theft, illegal refineries, and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta through aggressive patrols, raids, and clearance operations.
Operations were conducted at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns, and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, River State, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom state, which yielded significant results.
The military also disclosed that troops on patrol within Igbematoro – Kolama waterways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Owa Aleru village in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, responded to a kidnap incident but no contact was made.
Troops exploited the area and recovered 1 AK47 rifle and 2 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made pistol, 1 cartridge, 70 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 cutlasses and 4 mobile phones, amongst other sundry items.
Similarly, troops responded to election disruption within Ogbakiri community in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State and made contact with armed thugs, arrested 12 of them, and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 1 FN rifle, 4 AK47 magazines, 1 pistol loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1 pump-action gun, 4 cartridges, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special, and 1 Hilux vehicle.
Furthermore, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits, and 22 wooden boats.
They also recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 1 fibre boat, 5 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 10 new geepee tanks, 1 tricycle, and 6 vehicles while a total of 9 suspected criminals were apprehended.
All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
Notably, the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N277,357,800.00) only was recovered from oil thieves.
