Troops of the Nigerian military have recovered an estimated sum of N1,021,412,950 following an operation in the nation’s Niger Delta region.
Following the raid, the troops destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks and 59 illegal refining sites.
Other items recovered include three barges, seven speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, five pumping machines, three mobile phones and nine vehicles.
“Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS,” the military said on Thursday.
In its pursuit to destroy the activities of terror groups in the northern region of the country, the troops further killed 88 and arrested 228 persons.
“Troops also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages,” the military added.
Also, the troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 assorted ammunition.
The breakdown is as follows: 34 AK47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 Dane guns, five fabricated revolver pistols, eight locally made pistols, three pump action guns and one magnum pump action.
Others are 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 77 rounds of 9mm ammo, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, two baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones and the sum of N1,851,000.00 only amongst other items.
The military noted, “Overall, troops offensives have severely depleted ISWAP terrorist rank and file in the NE forcing a desperate recruitment drive.
“Similarly, terrorists in the NW are on a recruitment drive on social media for new recruits. Troops are aware of the situation and working with other security agencies and governments to thwart the plans.”