By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says it’s has rejig it’s operations to combat crude oil theft.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba on Friday in Abuja.
General Buba said, the redesigned strategy aims to curb the menace of crude oil theft through a comprehensive approach.
He said the Operations would will be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the Niger Delta.
” Additionally, operations would target specific areas that have significant capability to boost crude oil production. The targeted areas includes, but are not limited to enforcing and ensuring transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region.
“Others are; ensuring the integrity of the metering systems deployed at flow stations. Operations will also embark on the tracking of point of loading to destination point of the crude oil. Furthermore, operations will also concentrate on surveillance of the pipelines, jackets and well head to forestall breaches.
“Overall, operations will galvanise the support of the people of the Niger Delta as well as the stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nations oil production. .Importantly,operations will ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft.
“Meanwhile the Military command also said during the week under review, troops neutralised 125 and arrested 200 persons.
General said, troops also arrested 20 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Forty Four Million One Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N744,153,900.00) only.7. Furthermore, troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated gun, 22 dane guns, one SMG rifle, 7 pump action guns, one fabricated barretta pistol, 7 locally made guns, 5 x 60mm mortar bomb Unexploded Ordinances and 2 small rubber gun powder.8. Others are: 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 78 live cartridges, 24 empty case of 7.62mm ammo, 21 AK47 magazines, one baofeng radio, 6 vehicles, 11 motorcycles, 5 bicycles, 38 mobile phones and the sum of N2,737,145.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, 5 boats and 20 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, 5 vehicles, 3 mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO.
” On the whole, the military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorist with many terrorist leaders killed. Our operation continues to focus at providing security and stability for the nation and citizens.
The DDMO also said troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following activities during the period under review; surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and families, conducted offensive operations and arrest of BH/ISWAP terrorists.
” Troops also discovered IEDs and UXO in Kwaya Kursa, Gwoza, Bama, Kukawa, Marte, Damboa, Kukawa, Nganzai, and Konduga LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba and Geidam LGAs of Yobe State.
” Surrender of BH/ISWAP Terrorist and Family members., On 8 and 10 July 2024, a total of 302 BH/ISWAP terrorists fighters and their family members comprising of 40 adult males, 96 adult females and 166 children surrendered to troops in Bama, Dikwa, Mafa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.(2) Between 3 and 9 Jul 24, a total of 993 terrorist comprising 122 adult males 299 adult females and 572 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
” On 10 July 2024, furtherance to the troops attack on BH/ISWAP terrorists on 8 July 2024, troops conducted offensive operations and made contact with terrorists in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered 4 AK47 Rifle, 4 AK47 mag and 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, between 12 and 15 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Bama, Dikwa, Nganzai, Konduga and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 32 and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 19 AK47 rifles, one SMG gun, 7 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, 288 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 magazines, one baofeng radio, 5 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
“Arrest of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Collaborators. Between 10 and 14 July 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 19 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists collaborators in Geidam and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.
” Troops conducted similar operations in Kwaya Kursa, Bama and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, troops recovered 8 mobile phones, 4 bicycles and the sum of N2,487,145.00d.
“Discovery of IEDs and UXOs. Between 10 and 14 July 2024, troops in separate patrols discovered and detonated IEDs as well as recovered 5 x 60mm mortar bomb and Unexploded Ordinances in Damboa, Kukawa, Bama, Marte and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.SUMMARY4. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects and rescued 14 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops recovered 23 AK47 rifles, 7 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, one SMG gun, 16 magazines, 408 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 5 x 60mm mortal bombs, 10 magazines, one baofeng radio, 5 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, 4 bicycles, and the sum of N2,487,145.00 only mongst others.
“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; conducted offensive operations such as counter/anti kidnapping operations. Troops also arrested violent extremists in Mangu, Bokkos, Wase and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State. Similar operations led to arrest made in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State.
Details are as follows: a. Offensive Operations. (1) On 10 and 11 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists/terrorists in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 3 extremists/gunrunners. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, 166 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one Motorcycle and cutlasses amongst others.(2) Between 12 and 16 July 2024, troops with NIS Tac Team in separate offensive operations raided and made contact with suspected violent extremists/kidnappers and gunrunners in Barkin Ladi and Wase LGAs of Plateau State.
” Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 10 terrorists and arrested 6 violent extremists. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated rifles, 8 dane guns, 162 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 2 small rubber bottles of gun powder, military accoutrements and cutlasses amongst others.
b Counter/Anti Kidnapping Criminality Op. Between 10 and 15 July 2024, troops in seperate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to distress calls on activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State. Troops did same in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops rescued 6 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, one vehicle, one motorcycle and the sum of N250,000.00 only.
c.Arrest Operations. On 10 and 15 July 2024, following a tip-off. Troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 3 violent extremists/kidnapper in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State.SUMMARY7. Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 19 insurgents, arrested 24 violent extremists and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages.
Troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated pistols, 11 dane guns, 328 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 empty cases of ammo, 2 small rubber guñ powder, one vehicle, one motorcycle and the sum of N250,000.00 only amongst others. Buba said.
