DHQ has stated that the Military seized 21 million litres of stolen crude oil in the last three months.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Defence Headquarters said troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), a military onslaught against oil thieves in the Niger Delta region, recovered 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude worth over N20 billion in the first quarters of 2024.
It also said troops also seized 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined diesel, 53,300 litres of kerosene and 52,730 litres of petrol.
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The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj -Gen. Edward Buba, announced this during a briefing on Thursday, April 4, at the DHQ headquarters Abuja.
Buba said troops also arrested 25 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists within the period.
Giving further updates on troops successes within the last three months, the defence spokesperson said 2,351 terrorists, including their leaders
He said troops arrested 2,308 suspected terrorists, and rescued 1,241 kidnap victims.
Some of the terrorist leaders killed, according to the military high command, are Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on February 21, 2024.
Buba said: “Others are Kachallah Damina ( Neutralised on March 24, by troops. He was neutralized alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, and Alhaji Baldu.”
He said aside from the elimination of notorious terrorist leaders, troops also recovered 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammunition.
Buba said the successes demonstrate that the ongoing operations were effective and result oriented.
“Accordingly, the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war. Consequently, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces,” Buba said.
According to him, the military is fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country.
He said: “Nevertheless, the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorists and their cohorts.
“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them.
“ Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities.”
