The Defence Headquarters says the military troops have sustained aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the South-South and South-West zones leading to arrest of oil thieves and destruction of illegal refineries.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving the weekly update on the operation of Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
Enenche said that the Nigerian Navy Pathfinder Ship under Operation Delta Safe had discovered and destroyed illegal refining site at Tuma Creek between September 17 and 23.
He said that the site had four metal reservoirs and 60 jerricans of 25 litres laden with an estimated 320,000 litres of AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.
The coordinator also disclosed that troops of 146 Battalion discovered and destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery containing unspecified quantity of petroleum products at Oputumbi in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers.
He added that troops of 29 Battalion in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Labarador security workers destroyed two illegal refineries at Eleme-Tombia in Degema Local Government.
According to him, Forward Operations Base Ibaka gunboats while on routine patrol around Mbo River on September 21, intercepted and arrested two wooden boats laden with 112 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit with four suspects.
“Suspects and items recovered from the arrest are currently in custody and will be handed over to relevant agencies.
“Also, troops of Sector 3 Operation Delta Safe in conjunction with Nigerian Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided a criminal hideout around Trailer Park in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers and arrested 5 suspected drug dealers.
“FOB ESCRAVOS while on clearance operation discovered a reactivated illegal refining site at Ugborodo/Banga Creek phase IV Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“The site had 16 ovens, 26 storage tanks, 10 gas cylinders and 21 dugout pits.
“Cumulatively, about 345,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,572.3 barrels of stolen crude oil were recovered,” he said.
Enenche said that the patrol team also destroyed another reactivated site with 14 active ovens and 22 storage metal tanks laden with about 660.4 barrels of crude and 275,000 litres of AGO at Jones Creek in Warri South West.
In the South West zone, Enenche said the troops of Operation AWATSE also intensified the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.
He said the troops of 174 Battalion arrested six suspected gunrunners in possession of 3,560 rounds of ammunition at scrap centre in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.
According to him, troops also destroyed 350 litres of PMS stored in containers at Igbologun in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
He added that troops of 343 Artillery Regiment in conjunction with police and DSS personnel arrested eight persons with arms at Ifon community in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to him, the Armed Forces and other security agencies are determined to curtail the activities of insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements in the country.
“The Military High Command commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their dexterity.
“Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the country.
“Members of the general public are requested to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agencies for prompt action,” he said.
