By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
As the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with other security agencies intensify the fight against oil thieves and illegal oil refining in the country, a total of 3,074,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 3,810,000 litres of crude oil, were discovered in the Niger Delta region in the last two weeks.
The discovery was made during anti-illegal bunkering, oil theft and other sundry operations carried out by the troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO between 17 and 19 June 2022 at various parts of Delta and Rivers States.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Bernard Onyeuko, who made this known during the bi-weekly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, also announced that 14,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 14,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine were also discovered during the operation.
He added that 26 oil thieves were arrested, 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats, 9 speed boats amongst other wooden boats, storage tanks, dugout pits laden with illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil were discovered.
Major-General Onyeuko’s media briefing on troops activities and operational successes recorded from the various operational theatres of the 6 geopolitical zones of the country, covered the period from 16 – 30 June 2022.
Similarly, he said, Operation OCTOPUS GRIP between 16 – 26 June 2022 2022 carried out massive anti-illegal bunkering, oil refining and crude oil theft in various parts of the South South Zone, adding that several storage tanks, dugout pits, oven, boats laden with both crude oil and illegal refined products were discovered by the troops.
In the North West Zone, Onyeuko said that the troops of Forward Operation Base Bakura Operation HADARIN DAJI 4, on 21 Jun 2022 responded to distress call of terrorists’ activities at Rafin Dankura in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Troops engaged the terrorists in a shoot-out who were trying to abduct innocent civilians. After the encounter troops were able to rescue the six (6) kidnapped civilians and neutralised 2 bandits in the process. Items recovered includes 2 AK 47, 1x 36 Hand grenade, 2 x Cell phones and the sum two hundred and nineteen thousand (211,915.00). Similarly on 21 June 2022, troops made contacts with marauding terrorists at Maigora in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and neutralized 2 terrorists in the process,” he said.
“The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out air interdiction on 22 June 22 at Kofar Danya Village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Following report about the planned attack on Kofar Danya Village, the air component mobilized to the location and sighted over 150 terrorists converged under a thick vegetation. Accordingly, Nigerian Air Force platforms engaged the terrorists with heavy bombardment which destroyed the terrorists’ concentration camp. Consequently, credible feedback from the locals around Kofar Danya disclosed that over 82 of the terrorists suffered heavy casualties as many of them were neutralized while other sustained various degree of injuries,” he added.
In the North Central Zone, Major-General Onyeuko said the troops of WHIRL STROKE while on patrol at Udei general area in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State impounded a trailer with registration number ABUJA KWL 846 XB along Udei-Makurdi Lafia road fully loaded with cut to size vandalized rail tracks and sleepers. Consequently, all the 7 persons on board the vehicle were arrested. The vehicle and the suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“Relatedly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested one Mr Ardo Manu Abdulrahman Marenewo a suspected gun runner who specialized in leasing of arms to kidnappers and other criminal elements in Taraba State. Item recovered from the suspect includes 4 cell phones and the sum of 74,340.00). Also, at Zaki Ibiam conducted raid operations at a kidnapp’ers hideout Maraba in Ukyongu Ityuluv Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State in the process one Mr Ichen Gbaka aged 65 years and his wife Mrs Salomi Gbaka, a bandit collaborator, were arrested.
8Similarly, on 24 June 2024 troops on clearance patrol arrested 4 suspected kidnappers at Igumale Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area Benue State All arrested criminals have been handed over to the Police for further necessary action.
He further disclosed that on 28 June 2022, based on credible intelligence troops conducted clearance operation in conjunction with vigilantes at Kan Duniya Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, neutralized one Mr Safiyanu Bala 25 years notorious bandit and kidnapper.
“Same day troops on fighting patrol in pursuit of 2 suspected kidnappers around Sara High Ground Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State on a motorcycle. recovered 2 x AK47 rifles, 101 x rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 x magazines, 1 x motor cycle, 1 x iron digger and 2 x black jackets amongst others. Also, on 28 June 2022 in Fanock Village, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State and found a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABUJA KUJ 452 AZ with no occupant. Troops conducted search operations in the surrounding bush and rescued 3 kidnaped civilians; 2 females and a male.
Major-General Onyeuko further highlighted the troops’ activities and operational successes recorded in the othee geopolitical zones of the country as follows:
“NORTH EAST ZONE
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Zone have intensified the tempo of their operations. The troops carried out several operational activities in Buduwa, Bama-Pulka road, Tuwe Village, Konduga-Kawuri road, Brema in Damboa Motor Park, Tashangoto, Benishek, Kukaneta all in Borno State. These operations led to the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of terrorists, arrest of terrorists members, recovery of arms and ammunition and other security related items. On 17 and 18 June 2022 troops of 152 Battalion at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State encountered fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province fighters and engaged the terrorists and in the encounter 7 of the terrorists were neutralized and 14 rustled cattle and 3 bicycles were recovered.
“On 21 June 2022 troops arrested some terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers. Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira along Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.
“Consequently, troops neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 11 and recovered 14 rustled cattle, 2 AK47 rifles, 3 bicycles, 2 locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 golf 2 car. Also, members of Boko Haram terrorists have continued to surrendered to own troops at different locations in the theatre between 1 – 15 June 2022 a total of 4,770 of them comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children. All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families were profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions.
“SOUTH EAST ZONE
On 25 June 2022 a combined team of security agencies led by 302 Artillery Regiment carried out Raid operation on proscribed Independent People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network camps at Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area. After a fierce gun battle two of the criminals were neutralized. Several items were recovered from their camp which includes 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action rifles, one dane gun, 3 magazines, 5 water gel Improvised Explosive Device, 3 generator sets, one SUV and 2 cell phones.
“Furthermore, on 27 June 2022 own troops discovered a notorious hide of late Double Lion a notorious terrorist after a shot out one criminal member of the gang was neutralized. Items recovered from the camp include one dane gun, 8 vehicles (different makes). All recovered items are in own custody.”
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