Military, police intensify efforts against oil theft, economic sabotage
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the police have intensified their efforts to combat oil theft, economic sabotage, and banditry, resulting in significant achievements.
Both the military and the police have vowed that there will be no safe haven for those who seek to disrupt the nation’s economic recovery.
According to Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, troops recovered 1,205,950 tonnes of stolen crude oil within one week in the South South region.
Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun warned that the police would take decisive action against anyone attempting to sabotage the nation’s economic revival.
Gen. Buba stated that troops recovered 1,205,950 tonnes of stolen crude in one week in the South South, while Egbetokun emphasized that the police would deal decisively with anyone planning “to sabotage the economic revival that our country is about to witness.”
The IG also banned the production and sale of illegal firearms.
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The Defence spokesman further revealed that Operation Delta Safe recovered 452,910 litres of illegally refined diesel, 22,650 litres of petrol, and 3,000 litres of kerosene.
Additionally, 89 illegal refining sites, 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, and 138 storage tanks were destroyed, and fifty-nine suspected oil thieves and other criminals were apprehended.
In the Northeast region, troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully eliminated 44 terror suspects, arrested one terrorist logistic supplier, and apprehended 21 other criminals. Four kidnapped hostages were also rescued.
In other regions, Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke in the Northcentral region eliminated 31 terror suspects, arrested 22 others, and rescued two kidnap victims.
In the Northwest region, 35 terror suspects were killed, eight were arrested, and 17 kidnapped persons were rescued.
Gen. Buba said, “Troops of Operation Hardin Daji neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested five terrorists, and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages. In addition, troops of Operation Whirl Punch eliminated 17 terrorists, arrested three suspected terrorists, and rescued seven kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 34 assorted weapons, 399 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonator primers, one vehicle, and two motorcycles.”
The Defence spokesperson added that operatives also recorded some successes in the Southeast.
“In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 11 suspected criminals, and rescued two kidnapped hostages,” he said.
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Gen. Buba said that a large cache of arms and ammunition were seized during the different operations across the country in the past two weeks.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he said.
IGP Egbetokun directed all Police commissioners and tactical commanders to deal decisively with any “attempt by unscrupulous persons to sabotage the economic revival” policies of President Bola Tinubu.
Egbetokun told them to implement “adequate security” in their operational areas/commands to ensure that such persons did not succeed.
He also ordered a clampdown on firearms fabricators, unauthorized sellers, and users.
Egbetokun spoke at a meeting with senior officers where he highlighted policies and achievements of the Police under his leadership in the last five weeks.
The IG announced that 288 armed robbery suspects were arrested and 127 firearms were recovered during the period of five weeks. He added that the Force recorded fewer violent crimes/major incidents.
He said, “We are all aware of recent government efforts towards economic recovery and growth through local and international engagements with investors and technocrats. The Nigeria Police Force is poised to support the efforts of the government by providing the needed security and enabling environment for all legitimate businesses and other economic activities.”
“A total of 127 firearms of different calibers, 612 assorted ammunition, and 89 stolen vehicles were recovered nationwide while 71 kidnap victims were rescued unhurt and subsequently reunited with their families and loved ones within the same period of five weeks.”
The IG urged all individuals in possession of illegal firearms and light weapons to submit them at police stations nearest to them to avoid sanctions.
He said, “All state Police commissioners and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal commands, as well as tactical commanders, are mandated to immediately commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sales, possession, and use of prohibited firearms. All Nigerians are urged to report all suspicious firearms-related activities to their local police stations or through the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response and action.”
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On the Central Motor Registry (CMR), which was recently automated and rolled out, the police boss said the development has revolutionized police response to the challenge of stolen vehicles. The platform allows Nigerians to register their vehicles online for safety.
Egbetokun stated that in the period under review, 1,244 vehicles had been registered on the platform, of which 234 were found to have been reported stolen. Eighty-nine of the stolen vehicles were recovered in the last five weeks.
The IGP encouraged members of the public to access the platform at cmris.npf.gov.ng and register their vehicles. Egbetokun also revealed that through the deployment of the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), 10 notorious cybercriminals were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) within four days last month.
He said, “Building on the initiative (NPF-NCCC), a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation was initiated, resulting in the apprehension of 10 notorious cybercriminals. This operation conducted from August 16th to 20th, 2023, was in direct response to the emergence of a novel cyber threat characterized by the creation of cloned banking websites facilitating high-yield investment scams and money laundering. The arrested suspects, all male residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have provided confessions regarding their varying degrees of involvement in these criminal activities.”
Following the completion of the investigation, they have been charged to court accordingly.
The meeting also provided the officers with the opportunity to enumerate some operational plans towards policing the off-season gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states in November.
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