Troops raid kidnappers’ den, recover arms, arrest suspected oil thieves

Operation Pulo Shield (OPPS), the joint military outfit deployed to protect oil installations in the Niger Delta, on Wednesday said its troops raided some kidnappers’ den and recovered a cache of arms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the joint patrol had commenced raids on perceived militants and pirates camps across the region in the past 10 days, to stem the proliferation of arms and ammunitions.

According to Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, spokesman of OPPS, one AK 47 automatic rifle with serial number T94950 and 2 magazines loaded with ammunition, were recovered from the Abonema general area in Rivers.

"The gunmen on sighting the troops discarded their weapons into the sea and escaped into the nearby bush.

"Two speed boats and one AK 47 rifle loaded with 41 rounds of ammunition, were recovered and presently in custody of Operation Pulo Shield.

"A suspected sea pirates camp around Ikeinbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa was also raided. The pirates fled the camp before the arrival of the troops.

"Items recovered at the camp included 2 pairs of camouflage uniforms, 2 sawing machines, one national identity card and a chain saw,” he said.

Ado also said operatives from Sector 2, OPPS, in conjunction with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Southern Ijaw Oil and Gas Task Force, conducted a joint operation in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.

He said that during the raid at Gbenekrukru general area, the team destroyed five illegal oil bunkering sites.

"Four drums containing crude oil, one metal tank containing Automotive Gas Oil and 5 Cotonou boats containing stolen products, were found at the site.

"Other items discovered at the site included 7 pumping machines and 24 empty tanks. The sites and the items were destroyed, in line with the mandate of OP Pulo Shield,” Ado added.