S/South: 5 Drug Peddlers Nabbed as Troops Destroy 7 Illegal Refineries
Troops of Sector 3 deployed for Operation Delta Safe, in conjunction with Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested five suspected drug dealers, and recovered several illicit drugs, after raiding a criminal hideout around Trailer Park in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This is even as troops of 174 Battalion also arrested six suspected gunrunners in possession of 3,560 rounds of ammunition at scrap centre in Ikorodu Local Government of Lagos State.
Maj. Gen. John Enenche, made the disclosure at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) during a media update on military operations, across the country.
Enenche, further said, troops of Operation Delta Safe have continued with their aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the South South.
He added that the Navy Ship Pathfinder, on clearance operations, discovered an illegal refining site at Tuma Creek.
“The site had 4 metal reservoirs and 60 jerricans of 25 litres laden with an estimated 320,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 1,500 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). The illegal refining site was subsequently immobilized.
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“Also, on same day, troops of 29 Battalion in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Labarador security workers destroyed 2 illegal refineries at Eleme-Tombia in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State,” he said.
Gen. Enenche, who is the Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (DMO), equally said Forward Operations Base IBAKA gunboats, while on routine patrol around Mbo River on 21 September 2020, intercepted and arrested 2 small sized wooden boats laden with 112 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with 4 suspects.
According to him, the suspects and items recovered from the arrest are currently in custody and will be handed over to relevant agencies.
While speaking further, he said Forward Operations Base Escravos while on clearance operation discovered a reactivated illegal refining site at Ugborodo/Banga Creek phase IV Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“The site had 16 ovens, 26 storage tanks, 10 gas cylinders and 21 dugout pits. Cumulatively, about 345,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,572.3 barrels of stolen crude oil were recovered.
“Furthermore, the patrol team discovered another reactivated illegal refining site at Jones Creek, Warri South West LGA of Delta State. The reactivated site had 14 active ovens and 22 storage metal tanks laden with about 660.4 barrels of crude and 275,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil suspected to be stolen products. The illegal refining site was deactivated during the operation,” Enenche added.
