* As 81 illegal refining sites destroyed, 81 oil thieves arrested within 2 weeks
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) and Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) in the North East and North-West respectively have killed about 54 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists in the respective zones
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, made this disclosure on Thursday whilst briefing newsmen on the ongoing operational activities of the military and other security agencies across the country between November 17 to December 1, 2022 in Abuja.
General Danmadami said troops during the stop and search operation arrested five collaborators at Daudawa village in Faskari local government area of Katsina State with the total sum of N19,500,000.00 in their possession.
He added that ,the motive of the criminals moving with such huge amount was not ascertained but assured more arrest and other secrets will be reviewed during the course of investigation as it was ongoing.
He noted that troops have within the period recorded significant successes as evident in the surrendering of 139 terrorists and members of their families comprising 27 males, 44 females and 68 children at different locations within the theatre.
The Director further said, during the period, troops neutralized scores of terrorists, rescued 10 captives, recovered caches of weapons while other terrorists fled with various degree of gunshot wounds.
According to him, troops sustained aggressive offensives against the criminals within the period, noting that all recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, while the surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and members of their families were being profiled for further action.
In the North-Central, General Danmadami, said troops recovered 12 AK47 rifles, three pistol revolvers, two vehicles, rescued nine civilians, and neutralised three criminals.
He said the troops also seized over 200 motorcycles and arrested 54 criminals.
He said all recovered items, rescued civilians and arrested criminals were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, while the motorcycles recovered from the criminals were crushed at an open field in the presence of all relevant agencies.
In the South South region, the Director noted that troops have destroyed 81, illegal refining sites and arrested 81, suspected oil thieves in the last two weeks.
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP, were said to have discovered and destroyed 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.
“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.”
