Troops Crackdown on Oil Thieves, Terrorists, Seize N103.9m Worth of Petroleum Products
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigerian troops have made significant strides in its fight against oil theft and terrorism, seizing petroleum products worth N103,909,422.00 from criminals in the past week.
According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE discovered and destroyed 16 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 19 boats, 34 storage tanks, 79 drums, and 18 illegal refining sites.
“The troops seized 68,875 litres of stolen crude, 31,166 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 2,250 litres of kerosene,” Kangye said.
“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and seven vehicles.”
The military’s operations have not been limited to oil theft alone.
Troops have continued to heighten their onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors in the Northeast, Northwest, and Northcentral regions.
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“In the past week, troops have successfully destroyed several terrorists’ camps and rescued kidnap victims,” Kangye said.
“In Borno State, troops killed several terrorists and rescued 17 kidnap victims during a fighting patrol in Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, and Damboa local government areas.”
Arms and ammunition, including hand grenades and extra magazines, were also recovered.
“They also recovered arms and some quantities of assorted ammunition as well as hand grenade and extra magazines,” Kangye added.
In the Northwest, troops killed scores of terrorists and rescued 129 kidnap victims in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states.
“Troops killed scores of terrorists and rescued 42 kidnap victims during a fire fight in Sabon Birni, Isa Goronyo, and Tangaza local government areas of Sokoto State, and Anka, Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu, and Shinkafi local government areas of Zamfara State,” Kangye said.
The military’s operations have also led to the arrest of suspected drug peddlers and the recovery of illicit drugs and cash.
“Troops, while on cordon and search operations, arrested 2 suspected drug peddlers in Gwadabawa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State on April 9. They recovered 2 bundles of cannabis, assorted illicit drugs, and the sum of N110,000.00 from them,” Kangye said.
In the Northcentral, troops foiled kidnap attempts in Plateau State and neutralized some extremists.
A suspected gunrunner was arrested with assorted arms and ammunition, and the sum of N157,900.00.
