Emmanuel Onani 
…says 147 suspects killed, 381 others arrested
Troops of Operation Delta Safe in the South South general area have recovered stolen crude, and other illegally-refined products worth N943,161,680.00 in the last one week, the Defence Headquarters said on Thursday in Abuja.
Specifically, troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO/Diesel) and 7,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS/Petrol).
This is as other fighting forces conducting counter-terrorism and other kinetic operations against violent extremism across the theatres killed 147 enemies of the State, and apprehended 381 others.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, who made the disclosure while providing updates on troops’ operational successes in the country, said: “The recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has began to yield noticeable increase in the nations’s crude oil production”.
The spokesperson said: “During the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 persons. Troops also arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Nine Hundred and Forty Three Million One Hundred and Sixty One Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Naira (N943,161,680.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 dane guns, one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio.
“Others are: 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 112 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 42 live cartridges, 6 vehicles, 32 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, 2 outboard engines, 2 pumping machines, 2 vehicles, one tricycle, 3 motorcycles and 84 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS”.
He added thus: “Though we are not yet at where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production, troops will sustenance the renewed vigor and momentum till crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded.
“Overall, we are constantly assessing our actions, adjusting and amending our operations in order annihilate terrorist across. Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorist , stop the insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
“Citizens are urged to note that, winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons and finances. It also largely depends on the people. Together we can make an extra ordinary difference in wiping out insecurity in our nation.
“Meanwhile, ongoing operations across in other parts of the country remains focussed on defeating and killing the enemy wherever they are hiding. Indeed, we are in a better place today, than at any previous time”.
