The military high command reported on Thursday that troops in the Niger Delta thwarted the theft of N388,469,650 worth of crude oil and apprehended 22 suspected oil thieves. Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed this during a press briefing in Abuja on the military’s recent activities. Edward stated that troops discovered and dismantled 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, three tapping hoses, four drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, six pumping machines, three outboard engines, and 34 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta. The military also recovered 696,250 liters of stolen crude oil, 54,400 liters of illegally refined AGO, and 1,200 liters of PMS. Additionally, Maj. Gen. Edward provided an update on counter-insurgency efforts, reporting that 191 terrorists were killed and 184 were apprehended over the past week.
He added that troops arrested two high-profile Islamic State for West African Province terrorists in theTafa and Suleja local government areas of Niger State.
The terrorist kingpins were arrested during clearance operations conducted by troops in collaboration with other security operatives on September 21.
He said, “On September 21, 2023, troops in conjunction with sister agency personnel raided terrorists’ hideouts in Tafa and Suleja LGAs of Niger State. During the operations, troops arrested two high-profile ISWAP terrorists.
“Also, On September 20, 2023, troops on patrol raided criminal hideouts in AMAC of FCT. During the operation, troops arrested 51 suspects and impounded three vehicles for various offenses All have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
Edward said troops rescued 91 kidnap victims, adding that 104 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across various theatres of operation.
