By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded major operational breakthroughs across several theatres, foiling crude oil theft worth over ₦224 million in the South-South and tightening the noose around terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers in other regions.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, made this known on Thursday during the Defence Headquarters’ weekly operational briefing in Abuja.
According to Kangye, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE busted multiple illegal refining camps and confiscated 22,450 litres of stolen crude oil, 5,500 litres of diesel (AGO), and 150,000 litres of petrol (PMS).
“The total value of the foiled theft stands at ₦224,220,000. Our troops also destroyed 21 cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 7 boats, 11 storage tanks, and 6 illegal refineries. Eight oil thieves were arrested and arms recovered,” he disclosed.
The operation, which cut through Rivers and Delta States, underscores the renewed military pressure on economic saboteurs. “These acts of sabotage against the nation’s economy will no longer be tolerated,” Kangye warned.
Meanwhile, joint task forces across other regions intensified the fight against insurgency and violent crimes. In the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI troops neutralized several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, arrested 9 suspects, and freed 3 kidnapped victims.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 33 hostages and seized ₦3 million suspected ransom cash. Similarly, the North-Central operations yielded multiple arrests and recoveries across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, and Kogi States.
Kangye reaffirmed the military’s resolve to “deny terrorists, insurgents, and criminals freedom of action anywhere in the country,” commending troops for their “bravery, resilience, and professionalism.”