Military authorities have released an update on the activities of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region.

In a statement issued on Monday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Coordinator, Joint Military Campaign Centre, Lt. Col. Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu, disclosed that Troops of Sector 1, on a tip off discovered some illegal bunkering equipment along Chanomi North bank pipeline, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Items recovered include one welding machine, two inserted valves, two shovels, two filing machines, two packets of electrolyte, one hose, bolts, nuts of various sizes and a pumping machine.

Troops while on patrol also discovered militants/kidnappers camp at Rumuekpe, which was destroyed. Also troops handed over to Ughelli Area Command, two suspects Messrs Julius Egorume and Ese Ohoro who were arrested earlier in connection with act of vandalism at Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Well Head 12 located between Otu Jeremi and Ukpiovwin communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Furthermore, the troops while on patrol at Ugbemu Village along Oghara Benin Road in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State intercepted a tipper with registration number Akwa Ibom XA 240 KTD carrying 200 litres locally constructed tanks filled with product suspected to be illegally refined diesel. Three suspects were arrested alongside the tipper and products undergoing preliminary investigation.

A patrol team at Adeje community along Sapele Warri Road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State intercepted a Volkswagen car with registration number Anambra AH 615 ATN carrying 27 Containers of 25 litre Jerrycans filled with product suspected to be illegally refilled Dual Purpose Kerosine. The suspect, vehicle and product are also said to be undergoing preliminary investigation.

Another patrol team intercepted a suspected 15,000-litre tanker truck with registration number Lagos XU 140 BDG loaded with product suspected to be illegally refined diesel. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the truck.

Troops in conjunction with the police in Warri embarked on patrol to Ehnehre Kolokolo Community in the area used by suspected hoodlums who normally terrorise the Community and carried out a Cordon and Search Operations, 36 hoodlums were arrested and handed over to the Police for further screening.

One Mrs. Chiosa Ossai, a staff of SEPLAT was reportedly kidnapped with her father, Mr. Sunday Ossai along Sapele Eku Road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. Search operations are ongoing by own troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service operatives and Vigilante members.

A suspected truck used for illegal bunkering with registration number Edo XA 176 EKP was also arrested with product behind Otumara Community in Ethiope West Local Government Area.

Following intelligence report on possession of illegal firearms by some youths in Onugbo Community, Warri South Local Government Area. A cordon and search operations was carried out; and six suspects were arrested. They were in possession of one pump action gun, one dane gun, 12 live cartridge and two cutlasses.

Operation Delta Safe troops deployed at Uti in Uvwie Local Government Area intercepted a gang of armed robbers in an ash coloured Toyota Camry car. The suspects were alleged to have escaped arrest and were chased by a Police patrol team and on sighting the troops, the suspects jumped out of the vehicle and fled. However, one suspect was shot dead. One cut to size gun, two locally made pistols, nine live cartridges and the vehicle were recovered and handed over to the police.

Troops of Sector three, while on patrol discovered an illegal oil refining camp at Idama Creek in Rivers State. The site was destroyed. Also based on tip off, troops raided suspected militants camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil forest, Virgin forest, Opuru fishing port, Wangwa fishing port and Zion city. At Harrison camp, suspected militant fled on sighting troops and are now being trailed. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty and arrested three suspected militants and one Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil.

Troops also discovered an illegal refinery site at Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO. One container truck with registration number AWK 119 ZL loaded with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flours were impounded.

In another development, troops while on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms. Items recovered include; three pumping machines and two welding machines. Also troops discovered reactivated illegal oil refineries which were destroyed.

In another development, Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee has foiled an attempt by gunmen led by the suspected leader of a cult group popularly referred to as Icelander at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.

The criminals, according to Lt. Col. Daudu where attempting to kidnap people of value but on sighting the naval gunboats, fled the scene. The group had earlier embraced Amnesty but some recalcitrants still indulge in acts of criminality.

It was also reported that sea robbers operating from Eastern Obolo attacked and kidnapped unspecified number of persons on a ship at sea. Troops of NNS Jubilee are on the trail of the kidnappers for possible rescue. Also troops at FOB Formoso stationed at Nembe creek repelled saboteurs who tried to vandalize and steal a control unit from Well Head 72 operated by AITED Company. The vandals abandoned their tools on sighting troops.

“Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.

“The Acting Commander Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe wishes to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses,” Daudu said.

•Photo shows troops of Operation Delta Safe.

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