21st October, 2016
The Joint Military Operation in the Niger Delta on Friday said it had freed a kidnap victim and foiled another kidnap attempt in a bid to halt oil theft and criminality in the area.
According to a statement issued in Yenagoa by Lt.-Cdr Thomas Otuji, Spokesman of the Joint Force, codenamed “Operation Delta Safe’’, the feats were achieved on Wednesday.
“On Oct.19, 2016, Operation Delta Safe gallant troops’ resilience paid off when in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and Vigilance group, rescued a kidnap victim, Chief Matron of Ughelli Central Hospital, Mrs. Patience Abere.
“The victim was rescued at her residence in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta.
“The matron was abducted by three notorious armed men in her Kia Soul car with registration number: AS 609 UGH.
“One of the suspects, Mr. Innocent Egboboh, was apprehended while two fled on sighting the troops.
“Two locally-made pistols and three live cartridges were recovered from the suspect,” Otuji stated.
The spokesman said that troops also foiled a kidnap attempt, trailed and arrested two suspected kidnappers at Okwugbude Community in Okpe Local Government Area, Delta.
He said the suspected kidnappers were on their way to kidnap a victim when troops monitored and swooped on them, nipping the crime in the bud.
Otuji said the troops also set ablaze two cars used by oil thieves, containing several jerry cans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
The troops arrested the oil theft suspect, whom they accused of offering them a bribe of N29,500.
“The suspect was conveying 35 units of 25-litre jerry cans, filled with substance suspected to be illegally-refined AGO along Jeremi Junction in Ughelli South.
“Items impounded include two Volkswagen Vento cars with registration number GB 393 AA, BUR 151 AA and a Nokia mobile phone. The suspect attempted bribing troops with N29,500
“He was arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Police ‘A’ Division Headquarters, Ughelli, and the vehicles set ablaze,” he said.
Otuji further stated that the personnel arrested a driver of a truck carrying 33,000 litres of substance suspected to be illegally-refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
“The truck was intercepted at Otovwodo in Ughelli North Local Council Area of the state.
“The Suspect confirmed to have illegally loaded the product from Port Harcourt and was heading to Zamfara.
“The waybill indicated PMS whereas he was carrying suspected AGO,” Otuji said.
He said soldiers also intercepted two white Hilux vehicles and another with registration number, WWR 24 AL.
According to the spokesman, the vehicle was carrying eight units of 300-litre and 12 units of 60-litre of plastic drums and jerry cans, containing suspected illegally-refined AGO.
“The intention of the occupants of the vehicles was to evade being checked by troops, using the escort tags on the number plate as a disguise.
“However, troops’ diligence led to their arrest along Kwale-Asaba Expressway, Ndokwa-West LGA, Delta.
“The three arrested suspects, purportedly working with Ichoghe Resources Ltd., are being interrogated,” Otuji said.