Maroc - SPYETV.COM.NG - A La Une - 09/Aug 09:14

DHQ Announces Major Victory Against Oil Thieves As Troops Smash Oil Theft Syndicate, Arrest 32, Destroy 487 Dugout Pits, Boats, Tanks, and Recover N1.3 Billion

The Defence Headquarters, revealed that between 30 July and August 7, troops arrested 32 perpetrators of oil theft, discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats and 12 storage tanks and denied the oil theives of the estimated sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Forty Six Million Three Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,346,382,900.00) only.Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba in a signed press statement on Friday affirmed that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen productsMaj.General Buba also noted that troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review; arrested suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN and conducted anti-illegal bunkering operation in Nkwerre and Ohaji Egbema LGAs of Imo State as well as Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State respectively.He stated that troops also conducted counter/anti kidnapping criminality operations and arrested suspected violent extremists/bunkerers in Isoko North and Tai LGAs of Delta and Rivers States respectively while troops of UDO KA in the South East on 29 July 2024, troops in separate anti illegal bunkering operations intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/bunkerers including one NSCDC personnel in Ohaji Egbema LGA of Imo State.He noted that as a result of all these operations, troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 1,133,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of PMS. Additionally, Troops discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats and 12 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 71 cooking ovens, 2 speedboats, 2 pumping machines, 2 HH radios, 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, one wheelbarrow and 76 illegal refining sites.Maj General Buba noted that on 3 August 2024, acting on credible Intelligence, troops while on fighting patrol intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/bunkerers in Isoko North LGA of Delta State. During the operations, troops recovered stolen illegal products.He pointed out that the Air Component Operation DELTA SAFE conducted several air operations aimed at securing oil and gas infrastructure (especially pipelines and wellheads), deterring economic saboteurs’ freedom of action, destroying illegal refining sites as well as curbing other security threats within the region with a view to the restoration of oil and gas production to full capacity. Additionally, on 30 July 2024, the maritime component conducted search and rescue operation and rescued 20 sinking dredging personnel at sea."Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 1,133,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of PMS. Additionally, Troops discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats and 12 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 71 cooking ovens, 2 speedboats, 2 pumping machines, 2 HH radios, 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, one wheelbarrow and 76 illegal refining sites."he saidThe Director Defence Media Operations also disclosed that troops on 2 August 2024, on counter/anti kidnapping criminality operations responded to information of a kidnapping incident in Tai LGA of River State. During the operations, troops rescued kidnapped hostages. Troops rescued 5 kidnapped hostages and apprehended 32 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 11 assorted weapons.Troops of troops of Operation UDO KA on 30 July and 1 August 2024, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN and kidnappers in Ishielu and Nkwerre LGAs of Ebonyi and Imo States respectively. During the operations, troops neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 12 violent extremists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages.  All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.Maj General pledged that the military would not allow enemies of democracy to derail the democratic process in the nation. Essentially, as part of military mandate as a force, they are committed to ensuring that democracy thrives in the nation.www.twitter.com/spyetv