ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army have sustained operations against militants, criminals and other armed groups in the Niger Delta region, codenamed Operation ‘Crocodile Smile’.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement on Sunday, said that troops mounted on gunboats and speedboats have been making tremendous progress as they also raided suspected criminal hideouts in the creeks around Ajaosolo, Okogho, Opumani, and Obodo general area.
Usman said that the troops while conducting the exercise, on Sunday August 28, 2016, intercepted suspected illegal oil bunkerer with a “Cotonou Boat” laden with crude oil, three 40 Horse power Yamaha Speedboats and five 200 Litres of illegally refined diesel oil.
In the same vein, he said the troops continued conducting the training exercise near Bomadi town, Bomadi Local Government Area and Pendo and Tuomu of Bururtu Local Government Area of Delta State respectively.
“Two suspects; Mr. Tokolo Sawyer and Miss Showman Ebi-ere were arrested at “Loveth Plaze”, while Mr Kingsley Ebidimo and seven others with unidentified mission were equally arrested at Pendo as they were found to be in possession of substance believed to be Marijuana, an Axe, two Cutting Saw and a long iron bender in their hideouts.
“The suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police at Bomadi,” he stated.
The Army spokesman noted that the troops have continued with their field training exercise, more so as they received two more supporting weapons, Main Battle Tank, two Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and three Scorpion Tanks from the Headquarters of Nigerian Armour Corps.
He stressed that as part of the training exercise, the troops have been carrying out patrols along waterways in the creeks, in that process, they recovered two “Cotonou Boats” and a 75 Horse Power Speedboat, 30 of 200 Litres plastic drums containing liquid suspected to be illegally refined crude oil in the creeks at Ovwahwa in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State in the afternoon of Sunday August 28, 2016.
Usman said that three suspected persons, Messrs College Owahwa, Joseph Katte and Olisa Patrick found around the vicinity have been arrested. They are currently being questioned.
He stated that following intelligence reports, two illegal crude oil refineries were identified and destroyed by the exercising troops traversing Ayakoromo and Esaba water ways in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
At about 5.00pm same day, he said, two Pumping Machines and sets of new pipes used for the construction of illegal refineries and siphoning were found in the bush.
“Two suspects were interrogated to ascertain their involvement on the recovered items. The troops have continued their training exercise without hitch,” he added.
In addition to the training exercise, he said the troops are equally carrying out free medical outreaches at central area Sapele and near Olu of Warri’s palace in Warri.