Nigerian Special Forces Destroy 74 Illegal Refineries, Kidnappers’ Camps in Rivers, Bayelsa

Special Troops of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducting field training exercise code named“Operation CROCODILE SMILE”, have destroyed 74 illegal refineries and a number of camps belonging to militants and kidnappers various parts of Rivers and Bayelsa States using swan buggy and other specialists equipment.

Confirming the report on Friday morning, acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said troops of Sub-Sector Bravo in response to a tip off on the presence of suspected kidnappers at Akupoku community, carried out a raid at the location but no arrest was made as the kidnappers have fled the area.

The Army spokesman said the team also raided Ke community, at the verge of the Atlantic ocean where they discovered and destroyed an illegal refinery.

“The troops recovered and destroyed 3 large cooking pots and 20 tanks filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO)”, Usman said.

He added that another set of troops also discovered and destroyed another illegal crude oil refinery at Bile and destroyed 12 large refining cooking pots.

Usman said the troops exercising along Abonnema axis were also informed of the presence of suspected kidnappers at Abakrikri Fishing Pot and they swung into action and carried out cordon and search operation but no contact or arrest was made.

He said troops of 130 Battalion also raided suspected kidnappers’ camp at Awukiri.

“Although no contact was made, the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle’s empty magazine, 6 face masks, 1 machete and several empty shells of expended ammunitions. The troops destroyed the camp. The troops have also intensified search for the kidnappers nests and other criminal elements camp for clearance”, Usman said.

He further stated that the Medical unit of 2 Brigade has been dispensing free medical service at Twon Brass in Bayelsa State and promise that the troops would continue their field training exercise, while the humanitarian assistance will continue with provision of educational materials and free medical assistance to the host communities.