The military joint task force, code-named Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), says it has destroyed 37 militant camps and over 1,883 illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta region in 2022.
The OPDS Commander, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan, who disclosed this on Friday while highlighting the achievements and activities of the joint operation, said 699 suspects were also arrested in connection with various crimes in the region in 2022.
He said the joint operation conducted several operations in the South South region in the outgoing year to ensure safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta as well as safeguard the people of the area.
According to him, the mandate of the task force includes protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations, clearance of militants and sea pirates’ camps and non-kinetic conflicts resolution.
He hinted that in the cause of their operation, over N53 billion was saved in terms of cost from crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robbers camp destroyed.
Hassan said the force also recovered about 90 assorted illegal weapons and large caliber of ammunition with 1883 illegal oil refining sites dismantled.
He appreciated the support from the Federal Government, the Defence Headquarters, Service Chiefs, other security agencies as well as other stakeholders including the media for the successes recorded by the joint task force.
He stated that the joint task force also resolved about 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through the civil military relations and mediation efforts.
The joint task force also paraded seven suspects for allegedly concealing weapons in wooden boats conveying other cargoes along the waterways.
