The Nigerian military has recovered about N104m worth of Petroleum Products in the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, indicates that Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE made the strides after intense onslaught against oil theft and bunkering in the week under review.
The statement also said the troops seized 68,875 litres of stolen crude, 31,166 litres of illegally refined diesel, 2,250 litres of kerosene as it discovered and destroyed 16 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 19 boats, 34 storage tanks, 79 drums and 18 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and seven vehicles.”
Major General Kangye said troops successfully destroyed terrorists enclaves in an intense onslaught against terrorists in the North-East, North-West and North-Central as well rescued 17 kidnap victims in Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza and Damboa local government areas of Borno State.
“They also recovered arms and some quantities of assorted ammunition as well as hand grenade and extra magazines,” Kangye said.
“Troops also arrested two terrorist logistics suppliers in well-coordinated operations conducted in Gwoza and Gubio on May 12.”
He said troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA eliminated scores of bandits and terrorists as 42 kidnapped victims in Sabon Birni, Isa Goronyo and Tangaza local government areas of Sokoto State, Anka, Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu and Shinkafi local government areas of Zamfara State were rescued.
He added that 87 kidnap victims in Zurmi, Gusau, Maru, Bukkuyum, Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda local government areas of Zamfara, as well as Sabuwa, Kankara, and Gudu local government areas of Katsina and Sokoto states were also rescued.
“Arms and ammunition as well as vehicles, motorcycles and livestock were also recovered from them,” Kangye said
“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.”
The Director, Defence Media Operations said some extremists were killed in Riyom, Qua’An Pan, Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State and suspected gunrunner arrested with assorted arms and ammunition and the sum of N157,900.00 in his possession.
“Similarly, troops while on cordon and search operations, arrested 2 suspected drug peddlers in Gwadabawa LGA of Sokoto State…
“They recovered 2 bundles of cannabis, assorted illicit drugs and the sum of N110,000.00 from them.
The Defence Spokesperson however, assured that the military will not relent in its efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country in order to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
“Troops of AFN will continue its operations across the country within the ambit of the law giving due regards to human rights in line with global best practices in orders to safeguard national security, support our allies, and maintain regional stability.
“The AFN remains focused in our determination to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country in order to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
“Against this backdrop, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is calling on all law abiding citizens to go about their daily activities without fear of intimidations,” the statement concluded.