The General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander The Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada has said that in the last five months 316 soldiers , 371 Civilians were arrested for extorting commuters at various checkpoints.
He said that troops have been placed under check from engaging in extortion even as they intensify operations against terrorists and criminals this Christmas season..
He said that discipline must be enforced in line with the roles of operation, adding that so far, 46 soldiers have been demoted to lesser ranks after trial, warning that military abhors indiscipline.
GOC/Force Commander The Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, Major General Dada stated this while addressing a team of Defence Correspondents from Defence Headquarters Abuja who were on operational visit to Operation UDO KA theatre.
Major General Dada said the theatre employed clandestine operations to identify erring personnel and their civilian accomplice.
This we do in order to win the confidence of the civil populace and instill discipline by taking drastic decisions against unscrupulous troops that have continued to tarnish the good image of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA by extorting commuters at various checkpoints.
He said that between January and November 2024 the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA arrested 316 soldiers , 371 Civilians for extorting commuters at various checkpoints.
In line with the JTF’s operational design, it has conducted series of notable operations that have significantly improved the security situation within its Joint Operational Area.
Several anti-illegal bunkering operations have been conducted and are still ongoing across the theatre , especially in Abia, Imo and Anambra states.
The operations have yielded tremendous successes in the arrest of the economic saboteurs in the South East region. Series of arrests were made, so many illegal refining dump site have been destroyed and a lot of tankers conveying illegally refined products were intercepted and destroyed.
The high point of these operations was the recent Op DRAGON SPIT conducted by all sectors for 4 weeks between late June and early July across the Division. As part of relentless troops operations against illegal bunkering activities within OPUK TOO.
A total number of 78 anti-illegal bunkering activities was carried out leading to arrest of over 60 suspected bunkers as well as recovery of over 40 vehicles (of different model) and 33 motorcycles, all loaded with illegally obtained crude/products.
Additionally, a total number of 993,000 Litres of stolen crude oil and 237,000 Litres of Automated Gas Oil was seized and destroyed in-situ while metal scraps used for building of illegal refinery weighing more than 57,000 kg have been recovered from the general area of Owaza. Some other Items recovered include, 117 pumping machines, over 98 wheelbarrows and about 21 km long syphoning crude hose were destroyed.
Similarly, over 217 illegal refineries were also destroyed in-situ in the TOO. These illegal bunkering activities were mainly recorded within Ukwa West LGA and Owaza in Abia State, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema LGA and Oguta LGA of Imo State and ugwo, Ikpele in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
General Dada said troops will continue to intensify and frustrate efforts of oil thieves, bunkers and their collaborators within OPUK TOO
He noted that efforts are sustained to check the activities of the terrorists, criminal gangs and secessionist activities within the Area of Operation. adding that some modest achievements were recorded but not without some challenges.
Notwithstanding the operational challenges, OPUK will continue to intensify its effort to ensure the TOO is safe and the citizens can go about their normal businesses. The JTF OPUK will also engage, liaise and interface with other security agencies and community leaders in charting the way forward for a secured environment in the South East region.
We will equally redouble our efforts at improving troops capacity through training while ensuring relevant equipment are provided to enhance our operations, he added.