Army arrests three suspected kidnappers, 27 cultists in Edo, Delta

The 4 Brigade Nigerian Army said its troop of 19 Battalion has arrested three suspected kidnappers and 27 suspected cultists in Edo and Delta states.

It said its adoption of the use of swamp buggies has enabled it destroyed illegal bunkering camps within its area of responsibility.

A statement issued by its spokesman, Captain Mohammed Maidawa said the suspected kidnappers whose names were given as Emomotimi Thomas aged 30, Mebi Blas’s a.k.a Producer and Smart Yebu were arrested at MT Palace Hotel off Airport Road, Warri while holding a secret meeting.

The statement said the suspected cultists including four females were nabbed at a hill top joint in Benin City where they gathered before carrying out nefarious activities.

Captain Maidawa stated that the use of swamp buggies led to the destruction of several metallic tanks, drums as well as the covering of several dug out pits all containing illegal bunkering substances.

Maidawa said a total of 103 dug out pits used as storage facilities for illegally refined products were destroyed and covered in various illegal oil bunkering camps within its Area of Responsibility.

He stated that on two speed boats hidden by militants in the general area of Ajakurama in Ovia South Local Government Area of Edo State were uncovered while another militant’s hideout in Ugbolukangnn Community in Ovia South Local Government Area of Edo State was destroyed.

The Army spokesman said troops of 4 Brigade Operation Crocodile Smile II on routine anti bunkering patrol discovered and destroyed five dug out pits and five metallic storage tanks loaded with about 110,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and about 20,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK)w at an illegal refining site at Lapase, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to statement, “Troops intercepted and destroyed a Cotonou boat loaded with quantity 100 X 30 litres jerry cans containing Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) near the camp.

“The troops also destroyed another illegal refining camp in Aziza with dug out pits and metal storage tanks loaded with more than 60,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 35,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) All the products were destroyed before troops returned to their location.”

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