Troops of Operation Delta Safe have uncovered and dismantled six illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta, as part of a sweeping crackdown on oil theft and economic sabotage, the Defence Headquarters said on Friday.
The operations, conducted across Bayelsa and Delta states between 3 and 13 November, led to the destruction of 23 crude oil–cooking ovens, 14 dug-out pits, 12 storage tanks and 16 boats used for smuggling. Troops also arrested five suspected oil thieves and seized weapons and ammunition.
Major General Olatokunbo Bello, Director of Defence Media Operations, said troops additionally foiled an oil theft attempt valued at over N15.89 million, involving 12,600 litres of stolen crude and 3,287 litres of AGO.
92 Criminal Collaborators Arrested Nationwide
Bello said troops across the country arrested 92 terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers, gun runners, kidnappers and crude oil thieves, while several fighters were neutralised in encounters.
South-East
Under Operation Udoka, troops conducted raids in Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, killing one terrorist and arresting seven suspects.
North-East
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air components and hybrid forces, sustained pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS militants across Borno and Adamawa.
From 3–12 November, multiple operations in Monguno, Gwoza, Bama, Damboa, Chibok, Biu, Mubi South and Hong led to the killing of “scores” of terrorists, the arrest of 45 collaborators, and the rescue of a kidnapped victim. Camps, weapons and vehicles were also seized.
Bello said the tempo has enabled the safe return of displaced persons and unhindered farming activities.
North-West
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out operations across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Kano. Several terrorists were killed, two arrested, and 13 kidnapped victims rescued. Weapons, livestock, vehicles and other items were recovered.
North-Central
Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops responded to multiple distress calls in Plateau and Kaduna states, killing extremists, arresting 16 suspects, and rescuing five kidnapped victims.
A notorious suspect, Ibrahim Wakili, on the military’s watch list, was arrested on 9 November in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. He was found with arms and ammunition and is under interrogation.
In Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke killed several criminals, arrested 10 suspects, and rescued 48 kidnapped victims. Arms, vehicles and livestock were recovered.
Between 4 and 5 November, two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State.
Arms Recovered
Bello said troops recovered a significant cache of weapons, including automatic rifles, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally made firearms, IED-making materials, live cartridges and assorted ammunition.
