Troops Destroy 52 Illegal Refineries, Clear Kidnappers Den in Rivers

By Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian military has destroyed over 52 illegal refineries and cleared kidnappers camps in some parts of Rivers State.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday said the operations were part of the ongoing exercise Crocodile Smile to flush out militants and other forms of criminalities in the Niger Delta.

Usman said troops  of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army in an anti-cultism operation last Saturday cleared a notorious kidnappers camp at Obiozumini near  Obite  in Ogbema/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said the troops who were earlier ambushed engaged and subdued the kidnappers.

“One kidnap victim was rescued from the camp. The ongoing operation would be sustained until criminality is subdued,” he stated.

Similarly, he said the troops, during raids, cordon and search operations as part of the training exercise,  “have also discovered and destroyed 52 illegal refineries and refinery cooking pots in Krakrama, Bille and Better land community general area.”

Usman disclosed that the troops discovered six refining cooking pots at Better land community which unfortunately could not be destroyed instantly because of  itsproximity to the community.

He said the troops also recovered two high powered engine boats, 10 empty drums and a pumping machine.

The DAPR also promised that plans for destroying the illegal refinery with Swamp Buggy is in progress.