Troops of the Armed Forces have arrested at least 224 suspected oil thieves and other criminals, and killed several terrorists across the country within the last two weeks.
Major General Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO) who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja informed that troops of operation Delta Safe operating in the Nigeria Delta region, arrested 65 suspected oil thieves and destroyed at least 47 illegal refining sites.
He also disclosed that troops recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres Dual Purpose Kerosine, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats among several ither items; while a N604.4 million were denied the oil thieves within the period.
In the Northeast region, Danmadami informed that troops of ooeration hadin Kai killed 26 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, including 1 suicide bomber, and arrested 22 Terrorist logistics supplier, 2 Terrorist spy/informants, and captured 1 Boko Haram Terrorist fighter.
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The director further said the soldiers arrested 3 armed robbers and 52 suspected criminals.
Meanwhile, troops rescued 16 abducted civilians while a total of 876 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and members of the families comprising of 89 adult males, 249 adult females and 538 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations, ne said.
” All recovered items, arrested suspected criminals and rescued kidnapped civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while the surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, were profiled and documented for further action”, Danmadami added.
“Also, during the period in focus, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air operations against terrorists’ enclaves and logistics to degrade them and curb the spate of insecurity within the Area of Responsibility. Precisely on 21 May 23, the air component conducted an air interdiction at a location 4KM South of Tumbun Fulani, a relatively new terrorists’ hideout on the western outskirts of the Lake Chad Basin. Recent ISR of the area observed 2 x motorcycles and terrorists’ activities within the location. On arrival, the crew engaged the target with rockets and cannons resulting in neutralization of several terrorists and destruction of their logistics.”
In the North Central Zone, Danmadami said troops of operation Safe Haven killed 7 bandits, arrested 35 suspected criminals and rescued 14 kidnapped civilians.
In the North West Region, Danmadami said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recovered assorted weapons AK47 rifles, AA gun mounted, locally made guns, locally made pistols, dane guns, 300 rustled cattle, 400 pieces of black vests, 802 cutlasses among others.
“Troops equally, neutralized 25 Terrorist, arrested 41 suspected criminals and rescued 36 kidnapped civilians”, he added.
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