The Nigerian Military have destroyed no fewer than 53 illegal refining sites and arrested 81 suspected oil thieves and other criminals in sustained operations across Niger Delta region in January.
The operations, conducted by troops under the auspices of Operation Delta Safe and other joint task force units, also led to the recovery of large quantities of stolen crude oil, illegally refined petroleum products, weapons and equipment used in sabotage and oil theft.
According to them, the actions form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and crude oil theft, which continue to undermine national revenue, environmental safety and security in the Niger Delta.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the activities of the Armed Forces during the month of January.
He explained that troops responded to several distress calls related to sea piracy, illegal refining and other criminal activities within the period under review.
Onoja said the operations resulted in the recovery of assorted arms and ammunition, as well as the dismantling of multiple illicit refining camps across the Niger Delta.
He revealed that more than 80 militants surrendered to troops during the operations, while eight Cameroonian nationals were successfully rescued during cross-border patrols along the Bakassi waterways.
In the South-East, Onoja said troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive and stabilisation operations against terrorists, militants and other criminal elements across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
According to him, several terrorists were neutralised, 22 suspects were arrested, and 11 kidnapped victims were rescued, with arms and ammunition recovered in the course of the operations.
Reacting to the incident, the Defence spokesman noted that security assessments indicate a marked reduction in crime rates across the South-East compared to previous months, attributing the improvement to sustained military pressure and effective non-kinetic engagements.
He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces to ongoing operations across all theatres, assuring Nigerians of continued professionalism, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and a firm resolve to restore peace and stability nationwide.
