By Paul Michael, Defence Editor, Abuja
A new special operation code has been launched by the Armed Forces to tackle crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, The trumpet reports.
This was announced on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, during a press briefing on various theatres of operations of the Armed Forces between 25 March – 7 April 2022, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, the special operation code, which was flagged off at Onne in Port Harcourt, is named “Operation Dakatar Da Barawo (Operation Stop the Thief).” Added that the objectives of the new operation include among other things, securing critical maritime infrastructure, creating an enabling environment for the sustenance of the desired level of hydrocarbon production, safe shipping and economic activities as well as to restore investor confidence in Nigeria Maritime domain.
Gen Onyeuko lamented operational setbacks experienced by troops following recent terrorist attacks and criminal activities across the country. He, however, expressed optimism over the readiness of troops to combat crime while noting that “huge gains and success achieved by own troops in other theatres of operation, especially in the North East, North West and South-South.”
He told the press that the land component of Operation Hadin Kai with support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre of war in Borno state and troops captured terrorist’s stronghold by “Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa Forest where some artillery guns, Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), trailers, and a large cache of arms and ammunition were captured.”
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Gen Onyeuko, while stating that some kidnapped civilians were rescued, said troops arrested terrorist spies and their logistics suppliers during the offensive operations. He added that the air component between 28 – 31 after several days of surveillance of terrorist activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot.
“Cumulatively, in the last 2 weeks troops recovered 1Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorist flags, 1 tricycle and 1 active drone,” Gen Onyeuko stated.
He disclosed that a record 51,114 Boko Haram terrorists and families comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women and 24,335 children surrendered to troops on 5th April 2022. He said all the surrendered terrorists have been documented and handed over to appropriate authorities for onward action.
“Also, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians, of significant is the surrendered of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to own troops in Bama. He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba.
“While a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorists and families surrendered to troops comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children as of 5 April 2022. Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.
More so, Gen Onyeuko said the air component of Operation Thunder Strike on March 30, 2022, intercepted and neutralized 34 terrorists and recovered 14 locally made guns and 17 motorcycles when the troops received credible intelligence that some terrorists were moving in motorbikes towards Akilibu-Sarkin Pawa road at Mangoro village, between Kaduna and Niger States.
“Also, on 31 March 2022 a large concentration of terrorists were sighted around Kusasu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to an eyewitness account,” he said.
The Defence Media Director expressed excitement that the Nigerian Navy recorded a milestone in indigenous systematic survey and charting of our offshore waters. He added that indigenous survey and charting are necessary to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiative through maritime security, trade and transport.
While saying the indigenous survey and chart will lead to safety on our waters and boost the confidence of mariners, Gen Onyeuko noted that Nigeria has joined the elite group of chart producing nations in the world.
According to him, “Before this time all the navigational surveys and charts were surveyed and charted by the United Kingdom Hydrographic office. Some of them were conducted as far back as 1938. Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy took delivery of a new Ship NNS KADA. The change of flag was carried out in UAE by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff. The Ship is billed to stop over in 5 ports in different nations for a flag show before it berths in Nigeria. With the acquisition of this Landing Ship Tank (LST) it will give more impetus for aggressive combat patrol, policing and other duties in our coastal waters by the Nigerian Navy.”
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta waterways discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, 2 cooling systems, 3 receivers, 3 storage pits and b metal drums. Gen Onyeuko said 12,150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,000 liters of stolen crude oil were also recovered by the troops.
“Accordingly, troops discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, 2 cooling systems, 3 receivers, 3 storage pits and b metal drums. Cumulatively, troops with the period under review recovered Twelve Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (12,150,000) liters of illegally refined AGO, Four Thousand (4,000) liters of stolen crude oil, 3 tankers, 3 vehicles, 73 galvanized pipes, 2 motorcycles, 1 bus, 1Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz car.
“Furthermore, 2 electricity cable thieves associated with vandalization and theft of high-tension cables were apprehended. all recovered items and apprehended criminal elements were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
Regarding Operation Safe Haven, the Major General while stating that a cultural day event was held, said “The Commander Operation Safe Haven, on Saturday 26 March 2022 during the Peace and Unity Cultural Day Celebration edition held in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and the first Peace and Unity Gwash Ball tournament held in Jos Plateau State called on youths in Plateau and Kaduna States to distance themselves from any act capable of compromising the collective peace of the people and take the lead in development ventures of the society.”
He said the move was to promote tolerance among the diverse culture and customs of the people towards peaceful coexistence.
Also, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji operating in Zamfara and Sokoto States reportedly neutralized 10 bandits, rescued 5 civilians, arrested 7 bandits and recovered 3 AK 47 rifles, 7 magazines, 5 MC and 8 dane guns, while those of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue and Nasarawa States recovered 3 dane gun, 10 cell phones, 2 locally made pistols, 2 smoke grenades, 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 motorcycles, 1 AK 47 magazine and 5 cutlasses as well as neutralized 3 bandits and apprehended 9 bandits.
“All rescued civilians, apprehended bandits and items recovered have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Gen Onyeuko added.
He reassured Nigerians of the readiness and determination of the Armed Forces, Police and other security agencies to deal decisively with terrorists and all criminal elements in the country.