The Nigerian military high command declared on Thursday that the terrorists, who bombed the Abuja-Kaduna train would not go unpunished. It gave further insight into Wednesday’s release of the 23 hostages after seven months in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists, who masterminded the train bombing.
This came as troops of Operation Delta Safe deactivated 88 illegal crude oil refining sites and apprehended 39 oil bunkerers in the Niger Delta in the last two weeks.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja, Director, Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the insurgents would not escape justice. Akpor said elements of national power were deployed in securing the release of the hostages.
“There were elements of national power deployed and that was why they were released,” he said.
Reacting to a question on the likely action to be taken against the terrorists, he said they would not go unpunished.
Akpor stated, “But anybody, who commits any offence against the nation will definitely be brought to book.”
Speaking in the same vein, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Musa Damadami, said the military adopted kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to secure the release of the kidnap victims.
“These people were held captive for six months. Both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted. The release was the non-kinetic part of it,” he said.
In the meantime, troops of Operation Delta Safe deactivated 88 illegal crude oil refining sites and apprehended 39 oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.
Danmadami said troops sustained pressure on economic saboteurs and denied criminal elements freedom of action in the past two weeks to ensure a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive.
He said the operation was designed to ensure the protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the region.
He said troops of Operation Octopus Grip discovered and destroyed 60 illegal refining sites, 58 wooden boats, six speed boats, 384 storage tanks, 223 cooking ovens and 60 dugout pits.
Danmadami affirmed that troops also recovered 20 pumping machines, three motorcycles, one tricycle, 18 vehicles and arrested 34 pipeline vandals.
He said a total of 3.7 million litres of crude oil, 458,000 litres of diesel, 1,000 litres of petrol and 13,000 litres of kerosene were recovered.
Danmadami stated, “In a related development, troops of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo in the sustained fight against crude oil theft and maritime illegalities discovered and destroyed 14 illegal refineries.
“They also destroyed 72 metal storage tanks, nine wooden boats, 29 dugout pits, 51 ovens and 25 reservoirs.
“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review oil thieves were denied a total of N2.1 billion in the South-South region.”
He added, “Also, between September 23 and September 28, the air component of `Operation Delta Safe’ conducted air interdiction operations at locations observed to be carrying out illegal refining activities at Ahoada in Rivers.
“The airstrike destroyed the illegal refining sites with several criminals fleeing during the engagement.
“A similar air interdiction operation was carried out on an illegal refining site with boathouse accommodation. Facilities there were destroyed while the criminals fled in disarray.”
Danmadami said troops arrested a suspected criminal logistics supplier at Amana in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State on September 24. He said the troops recovered 20 pairs of black boots, 20 pairs of special force uniforms, two mobile phones and N15, 200 from the suspect.
He further stated that on September 28, troops arrested two Cameroonians, suspected to be Ambazonian rebels’ informants at a hotel in Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Danmadami said in the South-east, troops discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, 438 sacks of illegally refined diesel, eight coking ovens, and seven dugout pits among other items.
Follow us on: