Troops dismantle 7 illegal refinery sites, foil oil theft worth over N98m

…Rescue 30 Kidnapped Victims, Arrest 44 Suspects

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops deployed crossed the state to combat terrorism, banditry, and economical sabotage person destroyed 7 amerciable refinery sites and foiled lipid theft valued astatine implicit ₦98 million, according to the Defence Headquarters.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this connected Thursday portion briefing journalists connected caller subject operations. He said troops besides rescued 30 kidnapped victims, arrested 44 suspects progressive successful coercion and lipid theft, and neutralized respective equipped elements wrong the past week.

Detailing the operations, Kangye said troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 92,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,575 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 660 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), among different items.

He explained that the combined worthy of the recovered products was estimated astatine ₦98,705,495.

Troops besides destroyed 11 crude lipid cooking ovens, 7 dugout pits, 9 boats, and 14 retention tanks utilized successful amerciable refining. Thirteen suspects were arrested, portion assorted arms and ammunition were recovered.

Between October 9 and 12, 2025, the troops conducted operations successful Ethiope East, Ughelli South, Ndokwa, Okpe, and Warri LGAs of Delta State, arsenic good arsenic Ahoada East and Toru LGAs of Rivers State, resulting successful the apprehension of 9 further suspects.

In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka arrested a suspected commandant of the proscribed IPOB/ESN radical identified arsenic “Gentle,” on with 8 different suspects successful Owerri West and Mbaitoli LGAs of Imo State and successful parts of Ebonyi State.

Recovered items included weapons, ammunition, and a vehicle.

Kangye besides confirmed that a pistillate logistics supplier to the radical was arrested successful Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. Three children recovered successful her custody were identified arsenic relatives of a wanted radical leader, Maduabuchi Nwankwo, besides known arsenic “Emergency.”

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained coordinated crushed and aerial offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists crossed respective section authorities areas of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.

According to Kangye, galore terrorists were neutralized, 16 informants and logistics collaborators arrested, and 7 kidnapped victims rescued.

Recovered items included arms, ammunition, vehicles, and the sum of ₦5,140,000.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fagge Dole and Operation Fasin Yamma engaged equipped groups successful Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger States.

Several suspects were neutralized, 14 arrested, and six kidnapped victims rescued. Recovered items included weapons, vehicles, motorcycles, livestock, and cash.

Between October 8 and 10, 2025, troops besides arrested a suspected gunrunner and 2 cause cartel members successful Kaduna and Zamfara States, recovering implicit 1,300 rounds of unrecorded ammunition, narcotics, motorcycles, and ₦227,000.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke responded to distress calls and conducted raids successful Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and Kogi States.

During these operations, respective equipped elements were killed oregon arrested, portion 17 kidnapped victims were rescued. Weapons, vehicles, and livestock were besides recovered.

Kangye noted that 4 suspects charged with conspiracy and theft were convicted by a Magistrate Court successful Jos South LGA connected October 8, 2025, and sentenced to 1 twelvemonth imprisonment each.

He emphasized that the successes recorded crossed theatres bespeak the Armed Forces’ committedness to safeguarding the nation.

“These achievements are not conscionable victories connected the battlefield, but impervious of our resoluteness to unafraid each portion of our country,” Kangye said.

“We salute our troops who proceed to service with honour and those who person paid the eventual price. Their courageousness inspires our corporate determination to reconstruct lasting bid and stability.”

He reaffirmed the military’s readiness to enactment with each stakeholders to guarantee a safer and much unafraid Nigeria.

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