Navy destroys 107 unlawful refineries in Niger Delta

Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Protected (OPDS) found and destroyed 107 unlawful petroleum merchandise refining websites within the Niger Delta within the final two weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, a serious normal, made the declaration on the bi-weekly information briefing on operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Danmadami stated troops sustained the conflict towards oil theft, unlawful refining and different legal actions within the Niger Delta by aggressive patrols, raids and clearance operations amongst different methods.

He stated the operations have been carried out on the creeks, waterways, within the sea, cities and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom with vital outcomes.

“Troops within the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and Operation Dakatar Da Barawo found and destroyed 107 unlawful refining websites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits and 22 boats.

“Troops recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 litres of diesel, one fibre boat, 5 pumping machines, two outboard engines, 10 large plastic tanks, one tricycle and 6 automobiles whereas they arrested 9 suspected criminals.

“All recovered objects and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the suitable authorities for additional motion,” he stated.

Mr Danmadami stated troops responded to an election disruption report throughout the Ogbakiri neighborhood in Emohua Native Authorities Space of Rivers on 19 March and arrested 12 armed thugs.

He stated the response led to the restoration of 4 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 4 AK47 magazines, one pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition, one pump motion gun, 4 cartridges, 16 rounds of seven.62mm particular and one Hilux automobile.

Mr Danmadami stated within the South-east geopolitical zone, troops of the Joint Job Pressure, “Operation Udo Ka’’, neutralised seven members of the Indigenous Individuals of Biafra/Jap Safety Community (IPOB/ESN) criminals and arrested 32 individuals.

He stated troops additionally recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 29 pump motion weapons, three Dane weapons, 4 locally-made pistols, one double-barrel gun, two rounds of 9mm ammunition, 188 rounds of seven.62mm particular and 46 empty instances of ammunition.

Additionally recovered have been seven stay cartridges, three magazines, 4 radios, 16 machetes, three knives, 14 bikes, one automobile, 5 cell phones and several other pairs of uniforms and boots.

“All recovered objects and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the suitable authority for additional motion,’’ he stated.

READ ALSO: Nigerian navy deactivates over 70 unlawful refineries in two weeks

Mr Danmadami stated troops of Operation AWATSE continued to clamp down on legal components throughout the normal space of operations within the South-west.

He stated the troops, along with operatives of the NDLEA, raided Awoyaya and Basic Paints areas of Ajah in Eti-Osa Native Authorities Space of Lagos State on 10 March.

They arrested 14 suspects and recovered 5kg of Indian hemp, 7kg of different illicit medicine, seven bottles of codeine, 6gm of tramadol, 5gm of methamphetamine and N3,250 through the operation.

He stated the troops additionally apprehended seven armed thugs trying to disrupt the 18 March elections within the zone.

“Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, three Jack knives, one cartridge gun, three cell phones, one cutlass and 350 sachets of Indian hemp from the thugs,’’ Mr Danmadami stated.

(NAN)