The The military joint task force, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, has destroyed more than 1,800 illegal oil refining sites and no fewer than 37 militant camps across the Niger Delta. He said the operation was carried out in a bid to tackle oil theft and illegal fueling.
While parading seven suspects for allegedly concealing weapons in wooden boats carrying other cargoes along waterways, OPDS Commander Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan revealed that a total of 699 suspects were arrested in the region during the year in connection with various crimes.
The JTF commander noted that in the course of the military operation, more than N53bn were saved in terms of crude oil, diesel, kerosene and gasoline costs “with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robber camps destroyed.”
He said the joint working group also resolved 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through civil-military relations and mediation efforts.
He said: “The joint operation carried out several operations in the South-South region last year to ensure the safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta region, as well as to safeguard the people from the area.
“The task force’s mandate includes protecting oil and gas facilities, operations against crude oil theft, clearing camps of militants and maritime pirates, and resolving non-kinetic conflicts. Over the course of the operation, more than N53bn were saved in terms of crude oil, diesel, kerosene and gasoline costs with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robber camps destroyed.”
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