By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), said that troops deployed to the South South theatre of operation, has discovered and demobilized no fewer than 75 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta area in one week.
The Ministry High Command also noted that the troops, equally recovered 1,047,050 litres of stolen crude oil, 205,550 litres of illegally refined AGO, and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion, Seventy Three Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Naira only within the period under review.
Director Defence Media Operation, Major General Buba, who made this disclosure in a statement in Abuja, also revealed that troops killed no fewer than 253 terrorists, arrested 172, in addition to 15 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 206 kidnapped hostages
“Furthermore, troops recovered 251 assorted weapons and 4,113 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: one GPMG, 118 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated gun, 47 dane guns, six pump action guns, two locally fabricated pump action guns, five double barrel guns, four single barrel guns, four locally fabricated pistol, four IED, 60mm mortar tube, two AK butts, MRAP and one bandolier. Others are: 2,047 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 942 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 9mm ammo, 342 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 334 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 252 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 110 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball, 299 live cartridges, 32 magazines, two baofeng radios, two KYD radios, eight vehicles, 41 motorcycles, 27 bicycles, 41 mobile phones and the sum of N74,702,320.00 only amongst other items,” he said.
He further noted that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 22 dugout pits, 37 boats, 70 drums, four receiver, four reservoirs and 29 storage tanks.
General Buba said, the armed forces remains steadfast in its role as an element of national power utilised to protect and project the national interest.
The ongoing operations across the country, he said, are in support of national security interest. adding that they signpost the tireless effort of the military to prevent anarchy, unrest and national security destabilization.
Noting that the armed forces is deserving of the pride of place as the nations symbol of national unity and resilience, the Director noted that it is instructive for citizens to extend utmost respect for their armed forces, rather than degrade the institution.
He concluded that it would be counterproductive and amounts to self sabotage to do otherwise.
