The Defence Headquarters(DHQ) says the Joint Task Force of Operation Delta Safe in the South South zone of Nigeria have sustained efforts in ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for business activities to thrive in the region.
According to the Director, Defence Media Operations of the DHQ, Major General Musa Danmadami while speaking in Abuja, said the troops conducted operational activities at the waterways, bush paths, creeks, cities, and in towns of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
During these operations, Danmadami
said troops denied oil thefts of a total of Eighty Two Million, Four Hundred and Forty Five Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N82,445,150.00) and 122,600 litres of crude oil in the period in focus.
Also the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other Operations discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 27 wooden boats, 158 storage tanks, 149 ovens and 8 dugout pits.
The DMO added that they recovered 122,600 litres of crude oil, 89,850 litrers of AGO, 7 vehicles, 18 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1 speedboat, 6 assorted ammunitions, 1 weapon and 1 tricycle.
He said the troops in addition also arrested 16 suspected economic saboteurs, while recovered items and arrested suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Relatedly, the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE according to Major General Danmadami, between 2 and 3 June 2023 conducted air reconnaissance and air interdiction operation at Okoro Nyong and Ndele. Overhead, these locations which were observed to be rife with illegal refining activities with about 6 motorcycles sighted.
“Consequently, the locations was bombarded and destroyed while the illegal refined products and equipment were engulf in flames as a result of the air strike.”, he said.
In the Soutn East Zone, the DMO said. “Troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained their dominance over the activities of the proscribed Indigenous people of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals and other social vices in the South Eastern zone of the country.
“In furtherance to this, troops conducted operational activities at some Local Government Areas of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia State respectively. Between 1 and 8 June 2023, following information about the activities of illegal miners at some communities within Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State”.
He added further that Troops raided these locations and we’re able to arrest 17 illegal miners while 4 excavators, 7 tipper trucks, 1 generating set, 6 AGO jerrycans and 2 motorcycles were recovered at the mining sites.
“Also on 2 June 2023, troops raided suspected drugs peddlers hideout at Old and New Garki in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. During the operation, troops arrested 6 suspected drug peddlers and recovered large quantities of substances suspected to be hard drugs”, he affirmed.
