By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Media Operations say, troops of Sector 2 Operation Delta Safe had engaged the robbers at Abuja Open water-Nembe and successfully rescued 15 persons held hostage in 5 speed boats by the hoodlums.
The Co-ordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMOs), Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche who told Enugu Reporters said the troops were on a routine patrol at Nembe Owelesu, Bayelsa state when the encountered the hoodlums.
According to the DMOs’ Coordinator, upon sighting the troop’s gunboats, the sea robbers escaped into the creeks.
The troops however according to Gen. Enenche rescued 15 persons held hostage in 5 speed boats by the hoodlums.
He added that, on 23 April 2020, in a similar operations, the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder patrol team, acting on a tip off, intercepted and arrested 3 Barges (MV Rock 1, JULIANAH and an unnamed barge) laden with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at AGIP waterfront for suspected involvement in illegal bunkering activities.
He said, the Team also arrested another barge laden with suspected stolen crude oil around Okochiri River entrance.
He has also reported that, troops of Sector 3, Operation DELTA SAFE conducted raid on four Illegal refining sites along Dema Abby – Oputumbi – Nanabie – Promise Land – Otobie and Ogono general area. Items discovered and appropriately handled, include 7 boilers, 9 storage tanks, 8 metal tanks, 1 dugout reservoir all filled with stolen crude oil, 8 metal tanks, 18 metal drums, 11 reservoir tanks filled with illegally refined AGO and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Some of the items discovered included , 2 empty Cotonou boats, 1 generator set, 1 pumping machine, 2 welding machines, 1 filing machine, rolls of hose, and 1 speedboat mounted with 75 HP engine (use for illegal bunkering activities)
Additionally, troops of Sector 3 on patrol intercepted a barge laden with suspected illegally refined AGO around Orutoru general area of Rivers State. Relatedly, on 25 April 2020, following intelligence report, troops of Headquarters Operation DELTA SAFE discovered and appropriately handled an Illegal refining site at Uzere community at Ughelli North LGA of Delta State.
Another operation which held on 23 April 2020, troops of Sector 2 Operation DELTA SAFE deployed along KCTL pipeline at Odau Community in Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers State arrested 3 suspected pipeline vandals around Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline.
According to him, a total of 3 weapons were recovered, 48 illegal refineries, 28 surface metal storage tanks, 60 cooking ovens and 18 Cotonou boats amongst others were discovered while about 58,500 liters of
DPK, 11, 750 liters of PMS, 855,900 liters of AGO and an estimated 1, 507,000 liters of crude oil were seized by troops.
Gen.Enenche maintained that all rescued victims, recovered items and arrested suspects are to be handed over to the appropriate authorities at the end of preliminary investigation.
He however enjoined the general public to continue to give credible information which will assist the military to rid the country of economic saboteurs.
