The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Safe have uncovered and destroyed 53 illegal refining sites, recovered stolen products and apprehended 19 suspected oil thieves in one week.

The director of defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this while briefing journalists on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops had sustained momentum against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He said the troops discovered and destroyed 54 dugout pits, 66 boats, 138 storage tanks, 253 cooking ovens, two pumping machines, eight speedboats, 17 hoses, 18 drums, and two cylinders.

He said the troops also recovered 983,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 144,980 litres of illegally refined diesel and 71,650 litres of kerosene.

“Troops also neutralised one criminal, rescued three hostages and recovered one fabricated rifle, 18 vehicles and one torchlight,” he said.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted a snap operation and arrested suspected IPOB/ESN in Ikwo and Okigwe Local Government Areas of Ebonyi and Imo during the week.

He said the troops neutralised five terrorists, arrested 12 suspected criminals and rescued seven kidnapped hostages.

He said, “Troops recovered two locally made guns, four rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, one FN rifle barrel, IED materials, 10 water gel explosives, three detonators, and one detonating cord, among others.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”

The defence spokesman said the military had uncovered and neutralised some criminals’ `safe havens’ across various theatres of operation.

He revealed that criminals used national parks, game reserves and forests across the country as their hideouts.

“The military has identified several of these `safe havens’ and operations are targeted towards ensuring that they are completely dismantled.

“Recently, one of such hideouts in the South-East was invaded by troops, and they found unspeakable and unprintable activities going on in the invaded camps.

“It goes to tell us that these extremists are cannibals, feasting on fellow human beings and conducting other forms of dastardly acts,” he said.

(NAN)