Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko Photo: Defence Headquarters Nigeria / Facebook
- Immobilise 14 illegal refineries, recover stolen product in Niger Delta
The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, arrested 16 migrant bandits from Niger Republic.
Also, it said that the troops of Operation Delta Safe have immobilised 14 illegal refining sites and recovered large quantity of stolen products in the Niger Delta region in the last two weeks.
It said the bandits were arrested in different operations across the North Central.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed these while giving update on military operations across the country between December 9 and 23, on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said that troops executed several operations at Tine-Nune village in Mbatin Council Ward and Tse Yorbee town in Ukum Local Government Area, Ojapo community and Edumoga forest in Okpokwu Local Government Area and along Makurdi–Kula road in Benue.
He added that other operations were executed at Ugya forest in Toto LGA of Nasarawa, at the period with commendable results.
He said that 12 criminals were neutralised, while 26 criminal elements including 16 migrant bandits from Niger Republic were arrested.
He added that 16 different types of arms and 61 different calibres of ammunition were recovered, while 13 kidnapped civilians were rescued during the operations.
Under Operation Safe Haven, Onyeuko disclosed that troops successfully repelled bandits’ attacks and arrested child traffickers, cattle rustlers, kidnappers as well as bandits and robbers in parts of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States.
He said that 15 criminal elements were arrested while 12 kidnapped civilians were rescued as well as recovery of 118 livestock, 18 assorted arms and 112 different calibers of ammunition.
According to him, some of the operations were executed at Maraban Foron village in Barkin Ladi LGA, Ganawuri and Chiri Danto villages in Riyom local government area as well as Utan village in Jos North local government area, Plateau.
“Other locations were; Boto area in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi state; Gidan Waya town and Angwan Magaji village in Jama’a local government area of Kaduna state.
“In addition, troops within the period held peace and security meetings with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.
“Some of these meetings were held at; the Force Headquarters of Operation WHIRL STROKE in Makurdi and Lau LGA in Taraba.
“Issues discussed at the meeting centered on how to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the North Central Zone,” he said.
Under Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch, troops neutralised four bandits arrested six criminals as well as recovered assorted arms and ammunition in Niger at the period.
On the illegal refineries, Onyeuko said the illegal site had 19 ovens, 13 cooking pots/boilers, 15 cooling systems, 15 reservoirs, five large dugout pits and 33 storage tanks.
He added that a total of 896,500 litres and 70 polythene bags of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered in the process.
According to him, a total of 11,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene and 689,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.
“In addition, 28 pieces of galvanized pipes, three tanker trucks and 12 wooden boats used for illegal oil bunkering activities were recovered and handled appropriately in the course of the operations.
“All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action,” he said.
Onyeuko said the troops had sustained anti-illegal oil production operations and other non-kinetic operations to forestall activities of vandals and other economic saboteurs in the South – South Zone.
He disclosed that some of the operations were executed at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Ikwere, Port Harcourt, Emouha, Ahoada East and Bonny Local Government Areas of Rivers.
Other locations according to him, are villages, towns and creeks in; Warri South, Warri South-West and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State as well as Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa.
“Troops’ operations also yielded significant results at; Unholu and Uwaza communities’ areas in Ukwa West Local Government Areas of Abia,” he said.
NAN / The Guardian
