BY Bolanle Olabimtan
The defence headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Safe have uncovered and destroyed 89 illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region within two weeks.
Giving updates on military operations across the country on Thursday, Edward Buba, director, defence media operations, said the troops also discovered and destroyed 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 235 cooking ovens, six pumping machines, one outboard engine, and two speedboats.
According to him, about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil, 22,650 litres of premium motor spirit and 3,000 litres of dual purpose kerosine were recovered by the troops.
Buba said 59 suspected oil thieves and other criminal elements were arrested and 15 different weapons were recovered within the period under review.
Buba added that during a search and cordon operation on September 7, the army had captured 14 individuals and found 14 different weapons at their hideout in Tai LGA, Rivers state.
He said on September 4, the air component carried out air interdiction over Bille and Ijawkiri, where active illegal oil refineries were destroyed using cannons and rockets.
In the South-east, Buba said troops of Operation UDO KA, neutralised 17 terrorists, arrested 11 suspected criminals and rescued two kidnapped hostages during the period.
He added that troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles, five Dane guns, seven pump action guns, four magazines and 34 cartridges.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he said.
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