Troops Deactivate 25 Illegal Refineries, Impound 141 Rice Bags
Troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region have deactivated 25 illegal refining sites in Rivers, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
The troops also impounded about 342,000.00 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), further said.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, equally explained that Subsidiary operations Calm Waters II and Swift Response have continued to record remarkable successes.
He said: “The successes recorded within the period include seizure of 141 x 50 kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, as well as arrest of boats involved in smuggling activities amongst others.”
As part of non-kinetic activities, Enenche, who is the Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (DMO), disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta led a peace and reconciliation meeting with the stakeholders of Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South LGA, of Delta State.
According to him, the peace meeting was held following recent threats to disrupt oil and gas infrastructure by the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
“Accordingly, the Naval Base summoned a meeting with the key actors in the agitation. The activists thanked the military for the timely intervention and promised to tow the path of peace.
“The meeting was fruitful as they promised to do all within their reach to forestall violence in the area. They also solicited for the cooperation of the military in providing security to the general area,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Enenche, while speaking further, said through the concerted efforts of Operations Hadarin Daji, Accord and Sahel Sanity, farmers in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and other adjoining States have returned to their farms.
He added that other economic activities are also gradually picking up across the zone.
He said: “Additionally, within the period under review, troops continued to dominate the general area with clearance patrols, aggressive fighting patrols, raids, ambushes and confidence-building patrols.
“This is additional to several air bombardments of identified bandits’ locations and hideouts, which has made it possible for the conduct of farming and other activities in the zone.
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“These operations also resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled livestock, arrest of suspected armed bandits informants and collaborators in addition to the recoveries of large cache of arms and ammunition, among others within the period.”
In the North-Central zone, the DMO Coordinator, disclosed that troops conducted Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, in addition to concerted Reconciliation and Conciliation efforts in the form of stakeholders’ meetings, among the various ethnic groups in the zone.
Enenche, noted that, between 30 July and 1 August 2020, the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven, commenced the survey for the drilling of boreholes at Shimlang community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It equally commissioned 2 other solar powered boreholes at Messiah College and Gana Ropp communities in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“Furthermore, between 1 and 4 August 2020, Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven, as part of Reconciliation and Conciliation efforts, fostered several stakeholders meeting within the period under review.
“Areas covered in this regard include communities in Sanga and Jama’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Barkin Ladi and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Meetings were also held at Headquarters of Sectors 3 and 4 of Operation Safe Haven,” he said.
Continuing, he added: “All meetings were held with the leaders of the various ethnic groups including Hausa, Fulani and Berom amongst others. Issues discussed centred on habitual and peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups.
“Similarly, Headquarters Operation Whirl Stroke held peace-meetings in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State between the Ardo of the Fulani community and the Tiv leaders in the general area. Discussions centred on peaceful coexistence among them.”
Gen. Enenche, further said troops of Operation Safe Haven also conducted a drug raid operation on 4 August 2020.
His words: “Accordingly, troops in conjunction with police operatives and vigilante conducted drug raid to Unguwar Mata and New Market General Area in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, following credible intelligence on the activities of drug peddlers in the general area.
“Troops arrested 7 suspects at the scene and recovered large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs. The suspects were subsequently handed over to police for further action.”
