By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian military has intensified its operations across the country, achieving significant results in just one week. The Defence Headquarters announced that a total of 147 criminals were neutralized and 381 suspects, including those involved in terrorism, were arrested during the nationwide operations.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted these successes during a briefing on Thursday at the Defence headquarters, Among those apprehended were 23 individuals directly involved in oil theft—a crime that has long plagued the nation’s oil-rich regions.
In the South-South region, the military's operations dealt a severe blow to oil theft activities, preventing the loss of crude oil valued at over N943 million.
He said the troops dismantled a network of illegal refining sites, destroying 84 illegal refineries and recovering nearly a million liters of stolen crude oil.
Additionally, 88,760 liters of illegally refined diesel and 7,500 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) were also seized.
General Buba said, the military’s efforts in the Niger Delta region also led to the destruction of 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, and 62 drums used for illegal oil storage. Other significant recoveries included 74 assorted weapons, 3,498 rounds of ammunition, and various vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones.
The ongoing operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and enhance national security. In the North-East, troops conducted several successful raids against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. The operations resulted in the surrender of 135 terrorists and their families, the rescue of 113 kidnapped hostages, and the neutralization of 81 terrorists.
Troops in the North-West and North-Central regions also made significant arrests, including suspected violent extremists and kidnappers. Several illegal mining operations were disrupted, and extremist hideouts were raided, leading to the arrest of 29 suspects involved in illegal activities.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated its commitment to maintaining security across the nation, urging citizens to cooperate with the military to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.
The military's ongoing operations aim to neutralize threats, protect vital national resources, and restore peace and stability to affected regions.
