Troops destroy illegal refineries, recover weapons, arrest criminals in Niger Delta
In continuation with their sting operations, the Nigerian Troops of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted several activities and buggies operation at the creeks, jetty, high sea and towns at different locations within Bayelsa, Delta and River State respectively, during these operations, troops discovered and destroyed 47 illegal refining sites, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats.
This was made known in a statement by the Director, Defence and Media Operations, DMO, Defence Headquarter, Maj. Gen. Musa Danmadami during a biweekly press briefing in Abuja.
He said Troops also recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 5 vehicles, 12 weapons, 296 ammunition, 1 pumping machine, 4 outboard engines and arrested 24 economy saboteurs.
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“Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops in the South South zone recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres Dual Purpose Kerosine, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats, 1 gas welding cylinder, 1 pocking gas, 2 gas burners, 2 gas gauge, 2 adjustable spanners, 1 pumping machine, 4 outboards engines, 300 ammunitions, 15 AK47 magazines, 211 mobile phones, 3 vehicles, 100 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa, 3 and 4 pinches of substance suspected to be heroin and cocaine, 177 pinches of amphetamines and the sum of Seventeen Thousand, Three Hundred Naira (N17,300.00) only.
“Troops also arrested 65 suspected criminals. All recovered items and apprehended suspected criminals have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action”, He added.
Mr Danmadami noted it is worthy to mention that a total of Six Hundred and Four Million Four Hundred and One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira (N604, 401,127.00) only were denied the oil thefts.
“In a related development, the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE on 18 May 2023 conducted air interdiction operation at Krakrama. The location was observed to be active with illegal refining activities. Accordingly, the location was struck, with several illegal refined products and equipment destroyed in the air strike”, He added.
