By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Military High Command has confirmed that it’s troops have arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft in Niger Delta region in one week.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this while briefing Defence Correspondents in Abuja.
According to General Kangye,
“During the week under review, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Eight Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million Two Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira (N869,283,765.00) only.
He said the breakdown indicates: 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined AGO and 19,500 litres of PMS while 1,600 litres of engine oil were also recovered.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.
” Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanize pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles.
He said troops also recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices.
According to him, huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered.
General Kangye noted that On 4 – 9 April 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught on them by our gallant.
“Between 4 – 8 April 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Buturam Village Village in Gujba LGA of Yobe state and Mai Dunamari in Kaga LGA of Borno state.
“During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized and others apprehended.
“They also recovered Ak47 rifles, dan guns, locally fabricated rifles and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as Unexploded Ordnances.
He said troops in a well-coordinated operation from 4 – 10 April 2025 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Municipal Council, Mobbar, Damasak and Konduga LGA of Borno State as well as Geidam and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.
“Troops intercepted 9 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered logistics supplies from them as well as the sum of N235,330.00 only.
He said on 4 April 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, came under terrorists’ attack in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
General sad the troops successfully repelled the attack, neutralized several of them and recovered some weapons.
He said between 4 – 10 April 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact with terrorists in Binji, Gudu, Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Bakori and Kankara LGA of Katsina State.
“They conducted operation in Tsafe and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Augie LGA of Kebbi State.
“During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while some rescued kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons as well as assorted quantities of 7.62mm ammunition, livestock and motorcycles was also recovered.
“Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Binji, Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Malumfashi and Matazu LGAs of Katsina State on 4 – 10 April 2025.
” During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while arms and assorted kinds of 7.62mm ammunition and motorcycles as well as rustled cows were recovered from them.
“Similarly, troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 2 suspected Lakurawa terrorists members in Arewa and Tangaza LGAs of Kebbi and Sokoto States on 6 and 9 April 2025. They also recovered weapon, a motorcycle, beverages and the sum of N4,450.00
“During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation FASAN YAMMA conducted multiple air interdiction missions at the stronghold of notorious terrorist kingpin in Zango Hill, Kankara LGA of Katsina State. Battle Dammage Assessment and feedback from the locals revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, while their equipment and structures were destroyed”. He added.
