…Apprehends 71 Oil Thieves
No less than 74 illegal refining sites were destroyed in two weeks by the troops of operation Delta Safe in the conduct of operation Octopus Grip, the Military High Command has said.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, made this revelation, at a press conference in Abuja, also said that 71 oil thieves were apprehended in the zone within the period, adding that the product destroyed was valued at one hundred seventy three million, nine hundred and eighty five thousand six hundred and fifty naira (N173,985,650.00), in two weeks.
“troops of Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other operations in the South South zone within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refining sites, 341 storage tanks, 31 wooden boats, 260 ovens and 15 dugout pits. Troops also recovered 209,000 litres of crude oil, 145,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 27 variety of weapons, 468 assorted ammunition, 2 speed boats, 2 outboard engine, 8 vehicles and 4 motorcycles while a total of 71 criminals were arrested” stated Major General Danmadami.
He noted that all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
According to him, the troops recorded these successes during aggressive patrols, raids and clearance operations amongst other activities, at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, River State, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state.
Gen. Danmadami said that troops on fighting patrol at Obudu town, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State arrested a suspected cult leader of Vikings confraternity at his residence.
Troops, he noted searched his residence and recovered 1 model MP-25 auto pistol, 1 round of 7.62mm special ammunition, one cartridge and a mobile phone.
He added that following credible intelligent, troops on patrol at Ikono and Ogoja Local
Government Areas of Cross River State intercepted 2 buses and arrested 11 suspected criminals as well as recovered 5 pistols, 4 locally made pistols, 26 cartridges, 1 dane gun and 2 machetes.
“Also, on 6 March 2023, troops conducted cordon and search operation at the residence of a community leader at within Boki Local Government Area of Cross River
State. The search was base on credible intelligence on illegal possession of arms and
ammunition. Following the operation, troops arrested 2 suspects and recovered 3 locally
made guns, 27 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 2 G3 rifle magazines, 1 G3 rifle butt and 1 cleaning rod,” he concluded.
