By Damilare Adeleye
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that recent operations in the nation’s oil-producing region led to the recovery of over N798 million from oil thieves in one week.
In a statement released on Saturday, the military high command also revealed that 291 kidnapped hostages regained freedom in the past week.
Troops also arrested 51 suspected oil thieves while 657,470 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered by the military.
Also, the DHQ noted that its troops recovered a total of 127,870 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of DPK.
Items recovered from the suspected oil thieves and 66 illegal refining sites include 68 crude oil cooking ovens, 13 dugout pits, 41 boats, 45 storage tanks, 4 speedboats, one pumping machine, 150 drums, one generator, two motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, one drone and five vehicles among others.
Meanwhile, across other parts of the country, the DHQ said that its troops killed 148 terrorists and arrested 258 persons.
Also notable was the arrest of two ammunition couriers allegedly collaborating with terrorists, by troops in the North Central theatre of operation.
“The arrested persons identified as Danweri and Abubakar Hamza were apprehended in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State and cooperating with troops,” the DHQ said.
The troops further recovered 146 assorted weapons and 2,599 assorted ammunition.The breakdown includes two PKT guns, 72 AK47 rifles, 33 fabricated rifles, 28 Dane guns, two locally made SMG, three locally made pistols, two pump action guns, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube and 39 magazines.
Others are: 1,596 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 636 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 111 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 114 rounds of 7.62 x to 54mm ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 98 live cartridges, 3 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 36 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones and the sum of N1,838,000.00 amongst other items.
“Overall, troops remain focussed on destroying both their military capability as well as their will to fight terrorists and violent extremists across the country. Troops are in a good position and winning the war,” the DHQ noted.
