The Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE said it has destroyed 80 illegal refining site, 60 wooden boats, 316 storage tanks, 262 ovens and 87 dugout pits in the south south region of the country.
Director, Defence Media Operations,Major General, Benard Onyeuko disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, 28 July 2022.
According to him, OCTOPUS GRIP in the South South zone conducted operational activities in the creeks, communities and towns in the Niger Delta, notably Madangho, Kokoye and Jones creek in Delta State, Obi Sagbama village and Debu creek in Bayelsa State were patrolled.
He said also, that troops conducted patrol in Awoba, Cawthorne Channel, Boning Channel, Asaramatu in River State, adding that operatives of the military also recovered 9 speed boats, 15 outboard engines, 19 pumping machines and 17 vehicles.
Furthermore, he added that 27 pipeline vandals were arrested while a total of Five Million One Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand Five Hundred (5,159,500) litres of substance suspected to be crude oil and One million Four Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand (1,432,000) litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered.
Onyeuko affirmed that all arrested economic saboteurs and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action, pointing out that statistic above shows a significant loss to the economy of the Country.
On the items recovered, the spokesman noted that”It has a street value of about Two Billion Five Hundred and Thirty Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy One Thousand Five Hundred Forty Three Naira Eight Kobo (N2,534,771,543.08).
“However, the number of arrested individuals have also increased and could reduce the illegal activities of these of oil thieves. Operation DELTA SAFE has therefore sustained it efforts to ensure relative safe and peaceful operations environment in the Niger Delta.
On Operation AWATSE,he stated that troops intercepted large consignment of smuggled foodstuff noting that items confiscated include; Four Hundred and Two (402) 50kg of foreign rice and One Hundred and Ninety Three (193) 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
He said” Between the 15 and 17 July 2022, troops of Operation AWATSE intercepted large consignment of smuggled foodstuff along Seme -Badagry – Owode Road and a smuggler depot along Road Aiyetoro – Abeokuta and Oja-Odan village of Badagry, Owode, Imeko/Afon and Odeda Local Government Area of Lagos and Ogun States respectively.
” Items confiscated include; Four Hundred and Two (402) 50kg of foreign rice and One Hundred and Ninety Three (193) 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
In another development, during the conduct of Operation SAFE CONDUCT, Onyeuko maintained that troops on patrol along Road Osho – Egbedore village in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State arrested a political thug and recovered 1 locally fabricated pistol, 5 cartridges and a mobile phone amongst others.
He pointed out that troops also carried out a raid operation at Old Garage within Oshogbo metropolis and arrested a notorious kidnapper terrorizing the people of Osogbo alongside 9 of his gang members.
” Items recovered include 1 pump action rifle, 6 cartridges amongst others. All recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
“The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to re-assured Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.
“With the recent operations carried out between from 23 July we wish to assure residents of FCT Abuja in particular that we are undaunted and unrelenting in our efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties. People should go about their normal business as their safety is guaranteed.
“The support and cooperation of all Nigerians is hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business. Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual persons in your community to security agencies. If you see something say something,” the statement stressed.
