NAF
NAF
Operation 777: Troops Nab Notorious Pirates, Destroy
Illegal Refineries
It will be recalled that OPDS was established on 24 Jun 16 with
the mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure and deter
militancy, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other criminality
within the joint Operation Area (JOA) that could impact negatively
on the socio economic activities in the Niger Delta in particular
and the country generally. The Task Force comprises of Land,
Maritime, Air, Police, DSS, and NSCDC Components. The Operation
area covers Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Rivers as well as southern parts
of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Ondo states. Operation
Delta Safe recorded huge achievements that have resulted in
increased oil and gas production. In order to reinvigorate all our
operations nationwide, Defence Headquarters launched operation 777
on the 8 Oct 2018 and was activated by HQ OP Delta safe on 10 Oct
2018.
2. Operation 777 therefore is aimed at Curbing crude oil theft,
illegal refining of Petroleum Products, illegal oil bunkering,
Communal clashes, kidnapping, piracy, cultism as well as to
eliminate militancy within the JOA. Based on the Threat
assessments, the conduct of operation 777 has being intelligence
driven. Consequently, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance
using air assets were deployed in all sectors to identify militant
camps, kidnappers den as well as perpetrators of crude oil theft,
illegal oil refining and bunkering.
3. The entire operation principally involves robust patrols
around the creeks, major highways and flash points within the JOA.
In some instances, aerial surveillance of identified hotspots of
criminalities was conducted.
4. It is gratifying to observe that significant achievement has
been recorded by OPDS since the launch of Operation 777. For
instance, anti-illegal bunkering /anti illegal refining operation
was carried out in Okaki community in Bayelsa State which had
become notorious for crude oil theft and illegal bunkering/refining
activities along AGIP pipeline with huge success. Apart from the
destruction of the illegal site, one of the most wanted militant
and a member of ‘’kill and Bury’’ gang by name Gift Apollo aka
‘Thousand’ was arrested. The group was responsible for the attack
and death of own Soldiers deployed to Abua/oduma in August 2018.
Also destroyed are other massive illegal refining camps at Yeye,
Jones and Chanomi creeks, Benneth Island in Delta State, Alekiri,
Bidare and Iyalama creeks in Rivers State.
5. Furthermore, in a bid to eliminate militancy and reduce the
spate of incessant attacks on shipping within the JOA, identified
active militant camps at Okparakiri, Sanikiri, Ke community, Elem
Okporama and Olukirion were destroyed. On a tip-off, suspected sea
robbers/cultists from Kelekele community terrorizing Abonnema-
Buguma waterways were arrested. Infact, 4 suspected sea robbers
enroute to other hideout in Kelekele creek were intercepted and
arrested. They have given useful information that will help to rid
the general area of criminal activities.
6. Our troops deployed at Asaba arrested 2 suspected drug
peddlers by name Nduka Ozigbondu and Mofi Ndibuisi along cable
point Roundabout with large quantity of Indian hemp and other
substances suspected to be hard drugs. Subsequently, the suspects
and recovered items were handed over to National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action. Similarly, troops in
conjunction with NDLEA personnel raided identified drug spots, in
Alaka, Ajamogha and Ugbenbe general area. 16 suspects were arrested
and substances suspected to be hard drugs (Cocaine and Marijuana)
were found in their possession. The suspects and items were handed
over to NDLEA officials for further action.
7. Unrelenting efforts of OPDS to rid the JOA of criminal
elements yielded positive reults when 160 cultists led by Unyime
Friday Ibanga also known as Englishman Overcomer from Island
cultist group in Etim Ekpo LGA of Akwa Ibom State laid down their
arms. Weapons recovered and put out of circulation would
drastically reduce activities of criminals.
8. On 22 Nov 2018, troops acting on tip off intercepted and
arrested 12 people operating a wooden boat carrying 1,706 bags of
foreign rice suspected to be smuggled from Cameroon at Mbo River,
Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State were handed over to Nigeria Customs
Service Akwa Ibom State Command for further action. In another
development, troops deployed at Ibaka intercepted and arrested 2
wooden boats at Ebughu River in Mbo LGA with 4 and 5 crew each
conveying 202 Fifty kilogram bags and 326 fifty kilogram bags of
rice respectively suspected to be smuggled from Cameroon. Both the
suspects and the rice were handed over to Nigeria Customs Service
Comptroller General Strike Force in Akwa Ibom for further
investigation and prosecution.
9. During the period under review, 7 Nigerian Agip oil company
maintenance workers kidnapped while carrying out an assessment of a
blasted well head at Azuzuama LGA in Bayelsa were recovered and
abductees released unharmed.
10. In another development, 5 armed robbers who attacked Udy
king filling station in Calabar South were neutralized and the
stolen money and some weapons recovered.
11. Since the launch of Operation 777, the Task Force has
destroyed 436 illegal refineries. Also destroyed were 609 Cotonou
boats, 1,507 surface tanks and 1,538 drums used for illegal
bunkering. Furthermore, Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 266 persons
for various crimes who have been handed over to appropriate
government agencies for prosecution. On the whole, during the
period under review, the following recoveries were made:
a. 230 different types of arms
b. 240 assorted ammunitions.
c. 11 barges
d. 101 outboard engines
e. 78 other boats
f. 13 tanker trucks
g. 51 other vehicles
h. 135 pumping machines and
j. 34 generating sets.
12. Gentlemen of the press, let me use this medium to report
that, sometime in August this year, Defence Headquarters received
petition against the Force Commander, OPDS Rear Admiral Apochi
Suleiman of some wrong doing. The Chief of Defence Staff, General
AG Olonisakin constituted a committee to investigate the veracity
of the allegations. I am proud to announce that, the panel findings
shows that the allegation was false, infact, it was criminality
fighting back. The findings also show that, the Standing Operation
Procedure established by the Commander and his team has been
responsible for the successes recorded by OPDS and now Operation
777.
13. Also in pursuant of its civil-military obligations, OPDS has
made efforts to ensure that there is peace in the JOA. This is
carried out with engagement of companies and communities in areas
where there are disturbances. Within the period of Operation 777,
over 40 issues have been resolved amicably. It is worthy of note
that, the host communities in the JOA continue to prefer OPDS
arbitration through CIMIC to conventional legal system. With this
level of trust and confidence, the Force has minimal cases of human
rights abuses occasioned by confrontations with troops by aggrieved
communities.
14. Let me add that these achievements would not have been
possible if not for the support of the locals and stakeholders in
the JOA. It therefore shows that the people are ready to cooperate
with security agencies to put to an end all forms of criminalities
so that socio-economic activities would be sustained. I therefore
urge the general public to report any form of criminalities within
their communities for prompt action. I want to assure you all that
OPDS will remain professional in the discharge of their duties.
John Agim, Brigadier General
Acting Director Defence Information