Troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army conducting field training exercise code named “Operation CROCODILE SMILE” have discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refineries and quite a number militants and kidnappers camps in various parts of Rivers and Bayelsa States using swan buggy and other specialists equipment.
On Wednesday, September 7, 2016 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.
However, the team also raided Ke community, at the verge of the Atlantic ocean where they discovered and destroyed an illegal refinery, recovered and destroyed three large cooking pots and 20 tanks filled with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
Similarly, another set of troops also discovered and destroyed another illegal crude oil refinery at Bile. Items recovered and destroyed include 12 large refining cooking pots.
The troops exercising along Abonnema axis were also informed of the presence of suspected kidnappers at Abakrikri Fishing Pot, they swung into action and carried out cordon and search operation, however, no contact or arrest was made.
The troops of 130 Battalion also raided suspected kidnappers camp at Awukiri. Although no contact was made, the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle empty magazine, six face masks, one machete and several empty shells of expended ammunitions.
The troops destroyed the camp and have also intensified search for the kidnappers nests and other criminal elements camp for clearance.
In Imo, Troops of 34 Field Artillery Brigade raided on two major kidnappers camps belonging to “De-Well” and “De-Gbam” cultists groups in Umoubi and Umudike forests, both in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the state.
During the raid one Chigozie aka “Chi boy”, a notorious kingpin of one of the cult groups was killed, while another member was later discovered dead in the forest and quite a number of the gang members were believed to have escaped with gun shot wounds.
The troops recovered quite a number of military uniforms and mobile telephones and other household items before destroying the camps to prevent the cultists from regrouping in the area.
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