Military Destroys 37 Militants Camps, Over 1800 Illegal Refining Sites Across Niger Delta 

The military joint task force, code-named Operation Delta Safe (OPDS)’s Commander, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan, made this known on Friday while highlighting the achievements and activities of the joint operation.

The Commander noted that 699 suspects were also arrested in connection with various crimes in the region in 2022.

He explained that in the course of the military operation, over N53 billion was saved in terms of cost from crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robbers’ camps destroyed.

He said “The joint operation conducted several operations in the South-South region in the outgoing year to ensure safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta as well as safeguard the people of the area.

“The mandate of the task force includes protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations, clearance of militants and sea pirates’ camps and non-kinetic conflicts resolution.

“In the course of operation, over N53 billion was saved in terms of cost from crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robbers camps were destroyed.

“The force also recovered about 90 assorted illegal weapons and large caliber of ammunition with 1883 illegal oil refining sites dismantled.”

“We appreciated the support from the Federal Government, the Defence Headquarters, Service Chiefs, other security agencies as well as other stakeholders including the media for the successes recorded by the joint task force,” he added.

He noted that the joint task force also resolved about 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through the civil military relations and mediation efforts.

Meanwhile, the joint task force paraded seven suspects for allegedly concealing weapons in wooden boats conveying other cargoes along the waterways.