Troops destroy 40 illegal refining sites, arrest 53

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe and other subsidiary operations have in the last two weeks discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami said the troops also apprehended 53 suspected oil thieves and other criminals within the period in various operations across the South South zone.

He said the troops had continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities through aggressive and increased tempo in raids and clearance operations as well as patrol amongst other activities.

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In the South East Zone, Danmadami said that troops and other security agents had sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

He said that the troops had within the period, conducted operational activities in villages, forest, towns and cities of Anambra, Abia, Imo and Enugu States geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region.

“Troops equally neutralised four terrorists and arrested nine terrorists,” he said.

In the South West Zone, defence spokesman said the troops of Operation AWATSE had on January 27 apprehended a suspected criminal who was to waybill some arms in his possession at Iddo Motor Park in Lagos State.

Danmadami added that the troops had on January 30 arrested 120 suspected drug peddlers during a raid on some communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagan.(NAN)