Troops on duty
In a series of coordinated operations across the country, troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralized a suspected terrorist gang leader implicated in the murder of a soldier in Plateau State and dismantled multiple illegal refining hubs containing over 5,000 liters of stolen crude oil in Rivers State.
The military operations were conducted between September 30 and October 4, according to an operational update released by the military authorities.
In Plateau State, operatives of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), apprehended a suspected gang leader following investigations into the July 26 attack on a military blocking position in Manja Village, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, where a soldier was killed and his weapon stolen.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and led joint forces—comprising military personnel and local vigilantes—to the gang’s hideout in Jibiyal Forest on October 3. En route to the location, the team encountered remaining members of the gang and engaged them in a gun duel.
While the fleeing gang members escaped deeper into the forest, the captured leader was neutralized during the encounter. A local vigilante who sustained gunshot injuries during the operation was evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Concurrently in the South-South region, troops of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), carried out targeted raids across forest reserves in Rivers State, discovering multiple illegal refining sites containing an estimated 5,090 liters of stolen crude oil.
Ahoada West LGA (Ogblogolo and Ozhochi Forests): Troops from the 16 Brigade and 5 Battalion uncovered two illegal refining sites where 40 sacks containing roughly 2,000 liters of stolen crude oil were seized.
Orashi Forest: In a separate operation within Ahoada West LGA, personnel from the same units discovered two additional refining camps containing approximately 2,000 liters of crude oil alongside specialized processing equipment.
Okarki Forest: Operatives of Sector 3, OPDS, collaborating with the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, raided two refining sites. They recovered 26 sacks housing 1,090 liters of crude, a refining oven, and roughly 180 meters of industrial metal piping.
Military authorities confirmed that all recovered illicit products and equipment were handled and decommissioned in line with extant operational procedures.
