Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised six criminal elements, arrested 84 suspects, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during the second quarter.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the Armed Forces’ operational activities for the second quarter on Wednesday in Abuja.
Onoja said the recovered products comprised crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit, dealing a major blow to organised oil theft and illegal bunkering networks.
According to him, troops also dismantled kidnapping syndicates across Edo and Cross River, arresting wanted suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering firearms, ammunition and other incriminating items.
Onoja said troops of Operation Udo Ka sustained pressure on IPOB and its armed wing, the ESN, neutralising 12 fighters, arresting 115 suspects and rescuing 20 kidnapped victims.
He said troops recovered machine guns, RPG launchers, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, grenades, ammunition, communication equipment and fake military and police uniforms during operations.
The defence spokesman said troops also rescued traditional rulers held hostage, dismantled criminal camps, destroyed illegal crude oil storage facilities and arrested key logistics operatives supporting criminal networks.
Onoja said the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision air interdiction missions in Kaduna and Niger, neutralising terrorists, disrupting planned attacks and providing aerial security along the Abuja-Kaduna transport corridor.
He said the Armed Forces also expanded civil-military cooperation through agricultural support, civilian protection training, security stakeholder engagements and mediation between oil companies and host communities.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations until lasting national security is achieved.
He urged Nigerians to provide timely and credible intelligence through military formations or the Defence Headquarters toll-free emergency line 193, assuring the public that all information would remain confidential.