The Defence headquarters has disclosed that the recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has begun to yield noticeable increase in the nation’s crude oil production.
Towards this end, troops have discovered and deactivated 84 illegal refining sites as well as denied the siphoning of crude valued at the estimated sum of N943.16million (Nine Hundred and Forty-Three Million One Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Naira (N943,161,680.00).
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations said, “Though we are not yet at where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production, troops will sustain the renewed vigor and momentum till crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area, discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks.
“Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, 2 outboard engines, 2 pumping machines, 2 vehicles, one tricycle, 3 motorcycles and 84 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS.
“On 10 August 2024, troops while on offensive operation raided a suspected violent extremist’s hideouts in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.
“During the operations, troops neutralized one extremist and arrested one suspect as well as recovered one revolver pistol, 2 locally fabricated guns, one AK47 rifle, one dummy AK47 rifle, 5 magazines and 44 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst others.
“On 8 and 11 August 2024, troops in separate routine patrols intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists including a notorious kidnap kingpin identified in Uvwie and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Delta and Bayelsa States respectively. During the operation, troops recovered one locally made gun and 3 cartridges.
“Overall, troops neutralized one terrorist and apprehended 23 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 9 assorted weapon, 10 magazines and 63 assorted ammunitions.
Speaking on operations across the country, Major General Buba said troops neutralised 147 terrorists and arrested 404 criminal elements including oil theft perpetrators
During fighting engagements to decimate the criminals, troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 assorted ammunition, comprising one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 dane guns, one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio.
“Others are: 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm, 112 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm, 42 live cartridges, 6 vehicles, 32 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones amongst others.
Detailing the operations, the DMO said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 81 terrorists, arrested 52 suspects and rescued 34 kidnapper’s hostages.
“Troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 5 fabricated guns, 8 dane guns, 2 RPG bombs, one RPG charger, 344 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 320 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 112 rounds 7.62 by 39mm ammo, 73 rounds of 7.62 units of 54mm ammo, 5 magazines, 13 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 2 mobile phones and the sum of N39,000 amongst others.
“Between 8 and 11 August 2024, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces in separate offensive operations conducted long range ambush and made contact with BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists in MMC and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated, 2 dane guns, 241 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 91 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 motorcycles and 6 bicycles amongst.
“On 9 and 10 August 2024, a combined team of troops in separate offensive operations raided suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist’s enclaves and made contact in Bama LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 28 terrorists and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages including children.
“Troops also recovered 3 dane guns, 2 RPG bombs, one RPG bomb charger, one magazine, 73 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm and medical supplies as well as discovered and detonated one locally made IED.
“Between 7 and 11 August 2024, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Damaturu and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State as well as Damboa LGA of Borno State respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and arrested 4 suspected kidnappers. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 64 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and the sum of N39,000.00 only amongst others.
“Between 7 and 12 August 2024, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 26 suspected BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorist’s collaborators, informants and kidnappers in Gujba and Geidam LGA of Yobe State as well as Bama, Biu, Damboa and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State respectively.
“”In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 10 insurgents, arrested 78 violent extremists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.
“Between 9 and 11 August 2024, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists and raided extremist hideouts in Riyom, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Wase and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 31 suspects including drug peddlers and recovered 4 motorcycles.
“Between 7 and 12 August 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping criminality operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Mangu, Kanke, Bokkos, Jos East and South LGAs of Plateau State.
“During the operations, troops neutralized one extremist, arrested one suspect and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages
“Between 9 and 13 August 2024, troops in separate fighting patrols intercepted and arrested 29 suspected violent extremists and illegal miners in Barkin Ladi, Wase, Bassa, Riyom, Jos South and North LGAs of Plateau State as well as Sanga LGA of Kaduna State respectively.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 23 violent extremists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one fibre boat and 5 motorcycles amongst others.
“Between 7 and 10 August 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State and Ukum, Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State as well as Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 extremists, arrested one suspect and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one fibre boat and 5 motorcycles amongst others.
“On 9 Aug 24, following a tip off, troops while on fighting patrol intercepted and arrested 2 violent extremists in Jalingo LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops recovered 4 filing machines, 436 machetes, one mob phone and other tools used for fabricating weapons.
“On 9 and 11 August 2024, following a tip-off, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 14 violent extremists in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
“”In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 30 terrorists, arrested 21 terrorists and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 13 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 5 dane guns, 288 rounds of RG55 ammo, 40 rounds of CJ95 ammo, 256 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 6 live cartridges, 3 magazines, one baofeng radio, 11 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones only amongst other
“On 6 August 2024, following credible intelligence, troops while on offensive operation ambushed suspected terrorists and made contact in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 11 terrorists and 6 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, 3 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm special and 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 5 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones.
“Between 7 and 13 August 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Bakura, Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and arrested 3 suspects.
“Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated gun, 288 rounds of RG55 PKT, 40 rounds of CJ95, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6 cartridges, one baofeng radio and 3 motorcycles amongst others.
“On 7 and 11 August 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations raided terrorist’s hideouts in Kankara and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina State. During the operations, troops rescued 31 kidnapped hostages.
“On 11 August 2024, troops while on fighting patrol responded to information on activities of terrorists and made contact in Chikun LGA Kaduna States. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 93 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 motorcycles.
“On 7 August 2024, sequel to the arrest of a terrorist and recovery of arms earlier on 5 August 2024. Following a tip-off, troops arrested one NSCDC personnel suspected to be an arms dealer in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State. Suspect was alleged to be involved in selling of earlier recovered AK47 rifle.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 171 suspects and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 49 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and one magazine amongst others.
“On 7 August 2024, Sequel to the arrest of a suspected extremist/gunrunner identified as Hashimu Ahmad on 31 July 2024. Following a tip-off, troops intercepted and arrested a violent extremist/gunrunner in Lere LGA of Kaduna State.
“Preliminary investigation, revealed that suspect was a member of the same syndicate with earlier arrested suspect. During the operation, troops recovered one AK47 Rifle, one magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 49 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.
“On 8 and 12 August 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 152 suspected violent extremists including foreign nationals from Niger and Cameroon in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja respectively.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 8 violent extremists and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one pump action gun, 36 live cartridges, one vehicle, one Motorola radio and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 6 August 2024, troops in separate fighting patrols operations made contact with suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN criminals in Ihiala and Ahoada West LGAs of Anambra and Rivers States respectively.
“Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 3 IPOB/ESN members and and arrested 2 suspects as well as recovered one pump action gun, 36 cartridges, IED accessories, one vehicle, one Motorola Radio, 3 mobile phones and assorted charms amongst others.
“On 6 August 2024, following a tip-off, troops while on routine patrol intercepted and arrested a IPOB/ESN terrorist’s collaborator in Orlu LGA of Imo State.
“In the South West, troops of Operation Aqatse arrested 5 violent extremists and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 live cartridges, 8 magazines and 2 vehicles amongst others. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“On 7 August 2024, troops with local vigilantes intercepted and arrested a kidnapper in Itesiwaju LGA of Oyo State. During the operations, troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, 110 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 8 magazines and 4 cartridges amongst others.
“On 7 August 2024, troops while on routine patrol intercepted 2 vehicles loaded with 110 sacks of suspected illegal mined MICA in Abeokuta North LGA of Ogun State. During operations, troops arrested 4 suspects including one Chinese National
Furthermore, Gen Buba said, “We are constantly assessing our actions, adjusting and amending our operations in order to annihilate terrorist across. Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorist, stop the insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
“Citizens are urged to note that, winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons and finances. It also largely depends on the people. Together we can make an extra ordinary difference in wiping out insecurity in our nation.”