Troops nab suspect in possession of 67 PVCs

…arrest 30 terrorists in NE, 60 drug peddlers in Abuja.

…as troops destroy several illegal refining sites in South South

By Victor Akaa, Abuja.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Musa Danmadami, said troops of Operation HADIN KAI OPHK) have arrested a suspect in possession of over 67 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) alongside 30 terrorists in the North East within two weeks.

Major General Danmadami made this known at a bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces, from 20 October to 3rd November,2022, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said, on 20 October,2022, troops have in conjunction with Department of State Security personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force made contact with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Buduwa and Banki villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized 1 terrorist while other fled with gunshot injuries.

“Also, on 24 Oct 2022 troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force at custom Internally Displaced Persons Camp Shuwari town in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State arrested one suspect in possession of 67 Permanent Voter Cards. Suspect is currently in troops custody for further interrogation”. He stated.

According to him, troops neutralized over 21 terrorists within the period in the zone as over 145 terrorists and their family members comprising 30 adult males ,33 adult females and 82 children have surrendered to troops at different locations within the zone.

General Danmadami said troops of OPHK,in conjunction with the Department of State Security personnel and the operatives of Civilian Joint Task Force have intensified operational engagements in the zone within the period recording significant successes.

In the North Central,troops arrested 60 illegal miners in Niger state, 14 drug peddlers in Makurdi and other 24 criminals, whilst over 25 criminals were killed in the zone within the period.

“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NDLEA operatives on 28 October 2022 raided identified drug peddlers hideout around North bank in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

“During the operation, 14 suspected illicit drug peddlers were arrested, with large quantities of substance suspected to be hard drugs.

“Also, troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30 October 22 and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered 4 dane guns, I locally fabricated gun, 14 cutlasses, 4 sleg hammers, 25 motorcycles, 1 vehicle and other items. Troops on the same day also arrested 2 trailers loaded with illegal mined items.”

In the South South, Danmadami said the troops and other security agencies had sustained efforts at tackling insecurity in the zone.

He said the troops also conducted anti-illegal bunkering operation at Ama-Hausa Arugu and Umuokabia Ugodo villages in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo during the period.

He added that the troops discovered and destroyed illegally bunkered oil in 79 sacks containing 50 litres AGO each, eight gallons of 25 litres, three nylons and three drums containing refined products among others.

In another development, troops of operation OCTOPUS GRIP, during its operations in the South South zone within the period,have discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites within Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.

He noted that 35 wooden boats, 304 storage tanks, 172 cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, five drums, two reservoirs, two illegal bunkering camps and six illegal bunkering boats were also destroyed.

The Director DMO added that troops also recovered 34,547 barrels of stolen crude oil, 650,000 litres of diesel, 5,000 litres petrol, 10,000 litres of kerosine, seven pumping machines, seven vehicles, five motorcycles, one double barrel gun, among other items.

He said, troops have also apprehended five pipeline vandals during operations within the period.

Danmadami said the troops of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo also discovered and destroyed 11 illegal refineries with 107 metal storage tanks and five wooden boats during the period.

He added that 58 dugout pits, 38 ovens, six fibre boats, 28 reservoirs, 15 jerrycans, two pumping machines, 20,000 barels of crude oil and 167,900 litres of diesel were also destroyed.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review, oil thieves were denied a total of 54,547 barrel of crude oil, 817, 900 litres of diesel, 5,000 litres of petrol and 10,000 litres of kerosene amounting to the sum of N2.4 billion,” he said.

During the brief, one of the journalists, Mr John Nwokocha commended the pragmatic and unrelenting efforts of the military in restoring peace in the troubled areas especially in the North West zone.

Mr Nwokocha noted that in the course of their investigation, they recently travelled from Abuja through Kaduna,Katsina and Zamfara States to Sokoto and came back without any security hitches,

He urged troops never to rest on their oars untill normalcy returns to the troubled areas.