The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) said that the forces of the Joint Force, Operation Delta Aman, have destroyed 39 illegal oil refinery sites in the South-south zone in the last two weeks.
The Director, Defense Media Operations, Musa Danmadami, stated this at a bi-weekly news briefing on military operations on Thursday, in Abuja.
Mr. Danmadami, the major general, said that the forces conducting Operation Octopus Grip and other operations destroyed 48 cooking ovens, 103 storage tanks, 27 pits and 33 wooden boats during the period.
He said the force also recovered one tugboat, a barge, three pumping engines, three speed boats and 13 vehicles.
According to him, the troops obtained 274,000 liters of crude oil, 71,000 liters of Automotive Gas Oil, and 15 Ak47 rifles, while 40 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.
“All the recovered items and the arrested suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“Similarly, the air component of Operation Delta Aman conducted air interdiction to several illegal refinery sites and rivers in Gogokiri Degema and Okrika Local Government Areas of Rivers State between January 12 and January 24.
“Crews observed the site as an active makeshift tent and illegal distilling activities were underway.
“The target was involved in weapons and the location was observed to have exploded in an inferno while the illegal refining equipment was also destroyed,” he said.
Also read: Nigerian military shut down more than 70 illegal refineries in two weeks
In the South-East, the defense spokesman said the military and other security agencies continued to attack the activities of the outlawed Indigenous of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the zone.
He said the army had neutralized six terrorists, arrested 24 and rescued 16 abducted civilians.
According to him, several calibers of arms and ammunition including AK47 rifles, pump action rifles, IEDs and locally made explosive pipes and other items were also recovered.
(AT)
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