By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The Nigerian Military Command said it’s troops fighting oil theft and other criminalities in the south south region have foiled oil theft with estimated tune of about four hundred and sixty one million, seven hundred and eighty three thousand, eight hundred and six eight naira.
The Defence Headquarters said 23 perpetrators of oil theft were arrested and handled over to appropriate authorities for perscution .
This was made known to newsmen by the Director, Defence Media Operations DDMO, Major General Markus Kangye while briefing Defence Correspondents on Thursday in Abuja.
According to General Kangye, during the week under review troops recovered about 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO.
He said troops discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums and 21 illegal refining sites.
” Other items recovered include pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and some vehicles amongst others.
General Kangye also revealed that troops neutralized scores of terrorist in other parts of the country.
“Between 10 – 19 March 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops.
“Between 10 – 18 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Gwoza, Dikwa, Chibok, Bama, Konduga, Damboa, Ngazai, Monguno, Abadam and Guzamala LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe States respectively.
“During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, others were apprehended, while some kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, as well as assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Also recovered were AK47 magazines, IEDs, several unexploded ordnance devices as well as 2 vehicles and terrorists’ motorcycles.
“From 11 – 16 March 2025, troops intercepted and arrested 14 terrorist collaborators in Dikwa, Damboa, Gubio LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operations, some customized IED batteries, large quantities of PMS, engine oils, some mobile phones and large quantities of household items were recovered from them.
“On 10 March 2025, troops handed over a total of 75 persons comprising 7 adult males, 34 adult females and 34 children to the representatives of Borno State Government in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
“On 10 and 13 March 2025, following intelligence reports about terrorists’ activities in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State as well as Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, troops sprang ambushes against the terrorists.
“During the encounters, some of the terrorists were neutralized, while some arms and ammunition as well as mobile phones were recovered from them.
“Between 10 – 19 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Gwadabawa, Tangaza and Gudu LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Kaura Namoda and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operation was conducted in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.
“During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized including a senior terrorists fighter identified as Babangida in Kinpin Dan Sa’adi enclave in Kaura Namoda and arrested others.
He said troops also recovered some AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, and cache of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, as well as motorcycles and mobile phones from them.
