Military Seizes Over N103m Worth of Petroleum Products, Foils Terrorist Attacks, and Rescues Over 100 Kidnap Victims Nationwide
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, the military task force combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region, have recorded major successes in the past week. Petroleum products valued at N103,909,422.00 were seized from criminal elements operating illegal refining sites and smuggling networks.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in a press statement released yesterday.
According to the breakdown provided, the troops recovered 68,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 31,166 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 2,250 litres of kerosene. In addition, the troops discovered and dismantled 18 illegal refining sites, 16 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 34 storage tanks, 79 drums, and 19 boats used for illicit oil activities.
Other items recovered from the criminal operations included pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and seven vehicles.
Beyond the Niger Delta, the military intensified its counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast, Northwest, and Northcentral regions, targeting insurgents and other non-state actors.
In the Northeast, troops carried out aggressive fighting patrols across Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, and Damboa local government areas in Borno State, killing several terrorists and rescuing 17 kidnap victims. The operations also led to the recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, hand grenades, and extra magazines. Notably, two terrorist logistics suppliers were apprehended in coordinated operations in Gwoza and Gubio on May 12.
In the Northwest, troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA launched successful offensives in multiple local government areas across Sokoto and Zamfara States, including Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo, Tangaza, Anka, Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu, and Shinkafi. These operations resulted in the neutralization of numerous bandits and the rescue of 42 kidnap victims.
Further breakthroughs were recorded in Zurmi, Maru, Bukkuyum, Kaura Namoda (Zamfara State), and Sabuwa, Kankara (Katsina State), as well as Gudu (Sokoto State), where troops freed an additional 87 kidnap victims. Alongside the rescue operations, troops recovered firearms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, and livestock from the criminal elements.
Additionally, during a cordon and search operation in Gwadabawa LGA of Sokoto State on April 9, troops arrested two suspected drug peddlers. The suspects were found with two bundles of cannabis, assorted illicit drugs, and N110,000.00 in cash.
In the Northcentral region, sustained military actions in Riyom, Qua’an Pan, Bokkos, and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State led to the killing of several extremists and the arrest of a suspected arms dealer in possession of assorted weapons and N157,900.00. Troops also thwarted kidnap attempts between May 8 and 9 in Jos South, Mangu, and Bassa, and successfully neutralized more extremists and arrested two others on May 10.
Major General Kangye reiterated the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding the nation, urging citizens to continue cooperating with the military by providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.