Nigerian Army rescues 15 hostages, recover stolen Crude oil [PHOTOS]

 The Nigerian army has announced how its troops of Operation Delta Safe raided illegal refining sites and rescued some kidnapped victims.

The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche disclosed this in a statement obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA on Tuesday. According to him, Troops of Sector 2 encountered sea robbers at Abuja Open Water-Nembe while on routine patrol at Nembe Owelesu, Bayelsa State.

“The Sea robbers on sighting the troop’s gunboats escaped into the creeks. However, troops rescued 15 persons held hostage in 5-speed boats by the hoodlums.”

Also, the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team intercepted and arrested 3 Barges (MV Rock 1, JULIANAH and an unnamed barge) laden with illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at AGIP waterfront for suspected involvement in illegal bunkering activities.

Enenche added that the team arrested another barge laden with suspected stolen crude oil around Okochiri River entrance.

However, troops of Sector 3, Operation DELTA SAFE raided four Illegal refining sites along Dema Abby – Oputumbi – Nanabie – Promise Land – Otobie and Ogono general area.

Among the Items discovered are: 7 boilers, 9 storage tanks, 8 metal tanks, 1 dugout reservoir all filled with stolen crude oil, 8 metal tanks, 18 metal drums, 11 reservoir tanks filled with illegally refined AGO and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).

Others included: 2 empty Cotonou boats, 1 generator set, 1 pumping machine, 2 welding machines, 1 filing machine, rolls of hose, and 1 speedboat mounted with 75 HP engine (use for illegal bunkering activities) were also discovered within the sites.

Moreover, following intelligence report on 25 April 2020, troops of Headquarters Operation DELTA SAFE discovered and appropriately handled an Illegal refining site at Uzere community at Ughelli North LGA of Delta State. Mr

“Additionally, on 23 April 2020, troops of Sector 2 Operation DELTA SAFE deployed along KCTL pipeline at Odau Community in Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers State arrested 3 suspected pipeline vandals around Shell Petroleum Development Company pipeline.”

Mr Enenche noted that all rescued victims, recovered items and arrested suspects are to be handed over to the appropriate authorities at the end of preliminary investigation.

He then enjoined the general public not to relent in giving credible information which will assist the military to rid the country of economic saboteurs.