Military denies oil thieves over N20bn in 3 months

In fulfilment of its vow to deal decisively with the challenge of oil theft in Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja has revealed that troops denied oil thieves over N20bn in the first quarter of 2024.

The Director of the Defence Media Operations (DDMO)Major General Edward Buba disclosed this during the bi-weekly briefing held on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba noted that the armed forces is fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country, adding that the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what  to do with terrorists and their cohorts. 

“Surely,  we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they maybe hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them. 

“Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities.Indeed, significant terrorist commanders killed include and is not limited to the following: Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorists who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops in 21 Feb 24.

“Others are : Kachallah Damina ( Neutralised in Mar 24, by troops. He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo,
Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others.

“The above was achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves. For instance,  lmmediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.

“Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive  against the terrorist. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan _ Mar 2024 resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralize , 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued.Troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunitions and  denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only,” he said.

He added,”Breakdown  for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.

“Others are 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 litres of DPK and 52,730 litres of PMS amongst other item.

“The foregoing demonstrates that ongoing operations are effective and result oriented. Accordingly, the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war.”

Gen. Buba assured that citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.

By Chimezie Godfrey