Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, have in the last two weeks destroyed 39 illegal oil refining sites in the South-South zone.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami made this known at a bi-weekly news briefing on military operations on Thursday, in Abuja.
Danmadami said the troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other operations destroyed 48 cooking ovens, 103 storage tanks, 27 dugout pits and 33 wooden boats during the period.
He said the troops also recovered one tug boat, a barge, 3 pumping machines, three speedboats and 13 vehicles.
According to him, troops recovered 274,000 litres of crude oil, 71,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 15 Ak47 rifles, while 40 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.
“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.
“Equally, the air component of Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction to several illegal refining sites and creeks at Gogokiri Degema and Okrika Local Government Areas both in Rivers State between Jan. 12 and Jan. 24.
“Crew observed the sites to be active makeshift tents sighted as well as illegal refining activities been carried out.
“Targets were engaged with weapons and the locations were observed to have exploded in an inferno while the illegal refining equipment were also destroyed,” he said.
In South East, defence spokesman said the military and other security agencies had sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the zone.
He said the troops had neutralised six terrorists, arrested 24 and rescued 16 abducted civilians.
According to him, several calibres of arms and ammunition including AK47 rifles, pump action rifles, IEDs and locally made explosive pipes among other items were also recovered.
In another development, Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has directed the lifting of the curfew on Lambata town in Gurara Local Government Area of the state.
The directive is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the state Government, Mr Ahmed Matane in Minna on Thursday.
The governor had on Jan. 15 imposed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. as a result of a violent clash that led to the killing of the village head of Lambata, Alhaji Muhammed Abdulsafur.
Matane explained that the lifting of the curfew would begin on Jan. 26.
He said that the curfew was lifted having reviewed the security situation and return of peace in Lambata town and environs.
He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ogundele Ayodeji had visited Lambata town and commenced investigation into the matter that led to the killing of the village head, stressing that arrests had also been made in connection with the violent clash.
Matane, however, urged the people of Lambata and the public to always be law-abiding and to remain peaceful with one another regardless of social, political or religious affiliations.
According to him, security agencies have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people of the area.
Matane noted that the governor thanked the residents of Lambata town for their understanding in complying with the curfew.