Troops destroy 81 illegal refineries in Niger Delta

The defence headquarters (DHQ) says troops of operation “delta safe” have destroyed 81 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

The troops were also said to have destroyed 254 storage tanks, 173 cooking ovens, 118 dugout pits, and 36 wooden boats found at the sites.

Musa Danmadami, director of the defence media operations, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly update on nationwide military operations.

He said the troops also arrested 81 suspected oil thieves in different locations during the execution of “operation octopus grip’’.

They also recovered 1.06 litres of crude oil, 391,000 litres of diesel, 11 cars, six tankers, eight pumping machines, and three motorcycles, Danmadami said.

He added that the troops recovered two outboard engines, one tricycle, and five AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special bullets.

Danmadami said the military personnel also raided a suspected gunmen enclave at Ebem community in Abi local government area (LGA) of Cross River, arrested suspects and recovered arms and ammunition.

He added that in the south-east, the military, in conjunction with other security agencies, continued to sanitise the region in the fight against the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN).

In the south-west, he said troops of “operation AWATSE’’ recovered 447 (50 kilograms) bags of foreign rice, 125 jerry cans of 25-litre petrol and one vehicle.

Danmadami also said all recovered contraband items were handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for further action.