…as troops neutralize terrorists, rescue hostages
By Victor Akaa
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Friday, announced a major overhaul of its operations to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the redesigned strategy aims to curb the menace of crude oil theft through a comprehensive approach.
General Buba averred that the operation will be conducted through a unified command structure for all security agencies operating in the Niger Delta, targeting specific areas with significant capability to boost crude oil production.
The targeted areas, according to the Director include enforcing transparency by International Oil Companies operating in the region, ensuring the integrity of metering systems deployed at flow stations, tracking point of loading to destination point of crude oil, and surveillance of pipelines, jackets, and wellheads to forestall breaches.
Additionally, the operation will galvanize the support of the people of the Niger Delta and stakeholders in the oil sector to support the drive to boost the nation’s oil production. The operation will also ensure prosecution of culprits engaged in crude oil theft.
Meanwhile, General Buba also highlighted the significant successes recorded by troops in all theatres of operations during the week. He said troops neutralized 125 and arrested 200 persons, including 20 perpetrators of oil theft, and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages.
Troops also prevented the oil thieves destroying national assets worth an estimated sum of N744,153,900.00 and recovered 120 assorted weapons, 1,793 assorted ammunition, and other items.
In the South-South region, troops discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, 5 boats, and 20 storage tanks, and recovered 715,325 liters of stolen crude oil and 148,415 liters of illegally refined AGO.
The military also recorded successes in the war against terrorism, with many terrorist leaders killed. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages, recovering weapons and ammunition.
Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 19 insurgents, arrested 24 violent extremists, and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages, recovering weapons and ammunition.
