Military dismantles 18 illegal refineries, recovers 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified its offensive against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in July.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified its offensive against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in July.
The military operations also led to the arrest of 345 terrorists and criminal suspects, the rescue of 393 kidnapped victims, and the neutralisation of over 102 terrorists and other criminals across the country.
The military said the operations significantly disrupted the activities of oil thieves, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country, while also degrading the leadership structures of several insurgent organisations.
Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this on Friday during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly briefing on military operations conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
The operations under Operation Delta Safe, Onoja said troops sustained aggressive anti-oil theft operations across Rivers State, targeting illegal refineries, crude oil theft syndicates and pipeline vandals.
According to him, troops dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products during the month.
He said one of the major operations was conducted on July 4 when troops dismantled a large illegal refining complex around the Egboama/Ogbogolo axis in Ahoada West Local Government Area, deactivating three illegal refining sites and recovering stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The military subsequently destroyed additional refining sites during follow-up operations carried out on July 5 and July 7 inside the Orashi National Forest.
“Between July 11 and July 22, troops uncovered more illegal refining camps around Ogbogolo community.
“On July 19 and July 22, soldiers discovered five illegal bunkering camps at Egboama and Ogbogolo, recovering about 25,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 2,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Okrika”, Onoja reported.
In another operation on July 22, troops intercepted six vehicles conveying suspected stolen crude oil around the Eleme Refinery and arrested five suspects.
The military further intercepted about 15,500 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products along the Okrika waterways on July 24.
Onoja said the sustained operations had dealt significant blows to economic saboteurs involved in crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism.
“The Armed Forces remain committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets and protecting maritime infrastructure,” he said.
Troops also rescued 37 traders and crew members after engaging sea pirates along the Oron-Ibaka waterways in Akwa Ibom State.
The military also arrested notorious kidnap kingpin Saidu Mohammed in Edo State in a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS), before tracking and arresting another gang member using forensic evidence extracted from the suspect’s mobile phone.
Additional operations led to the rescue of abductees around Ambrose Alli University and the arrest of kidnappers and arms suppliers in Edo forests.
Nationwide, the Armed Forces said troops rescued 393 kidnapped victims during July through sustained rescue operations across different theatres.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma accounted for the highest number of rescues with 191 victims freed from terrorist camps and kidnapping gangs operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Among the major rescues was the release of 48 abducted civilians following military operations in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State.
Troops also rescued 10 of 13 passengers abducted after terrorists attacked a commercial bus along the Kano-Kaduna highway near Falgore Forest.
“Between July 28 and 29, troops rescued 59 civilians, including the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr Aminu Yusuf, members of his family, a prominent businessman, Alhaji Azaria, and several residents during separate operations in Zamfara and Sokoto states”, the military added.
The military also rescued 32 additional victims, mostly women and children, after engaging terrorists in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensives against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi states.
During the month, troops neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnapped victims and recorded the surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members.
One of the biggest operational successes came on July 12, when troops repelled an attack in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing Abu Salim al-Barnawi, identified as a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief.
The military described his elimination as a significant setback for the insurgents’ command and propaganda network.
Troops also destroyed terrorist camps in Ngala and Gubio local government areas while recovering arms, ammunition and logistics.
The military disclosed that a foreign fighter from Sudan and an illegal immigrant from Ghana were arrested during operations in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
It also announced the surrender of a senior ISWAP finance operative, who reportedly handed over an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, cash and a motorcycle after abandoning the terrorist group.
Three additional suspected terrorists surrendered on July 28 after reportedly fleeing their camps due to sustained military air bombardments.
Across the North-Central, troops under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke arrested dozens of suspected kidnappers, militia members, gunrunners and terrorist collaborators.
Among the notable breakthroughs was the killing of notorious terrorist kingpin Puuga in Benue State and the destruction of a hideout belonging to another wanted terrorist identified as Full Fire.
Troops also arrested an ammunition courier along the Keffi-Abuja highway with 60 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, dismantled arms trafficking networks in Niger State and recovered multiple rifles and ammunition.
Several kidnapped victims, including school officials, students, women and elderly victims, were rescued in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested 26 suspects linked to separatist violence, kidnapping and illegal arms trafficking while rescuing 10 civilians.
Military operations led to the arrest of suspected armourers, logistics couriers and alleged members of IPOB, while several rifles, pump-action guns, magazines and ammunition were recovered.
Troops also destroyed an illegal bunkering site containing about 70 refining pits in Abia State.
