Military Destroys 52 Illegal Refineries …Crushes Kidnappers’ Camp, Rescues Victim

As part of ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’, troops of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, during raids, cordon and search operations, have discovered and destroyed 52 illegal refineries and refinery cooking pots in Krakrama, Bille and Betterland communities Degema Local Government Area in Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, announced this yesterday in a statement.
He said, “The troops discovered six refining cooking pots at Betterland community, which unfortunately could not be destroyed instantly because of proximity to the community. They also recovered two high-powered engine boats, 10 empty drums and one pumping machine. Plans for destroying the illegal refinery with Swamp Buggy is in progress,” he said.
Similarly the military said that troops of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, involved in the ongoing ‘Crocodile Smile’ operation in the Niger Delta region, Saturday raided a notorious kidnappers’ camp at Obiozumini near Obite, in Ogbema/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The troops, who were earlier ambushed, engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, and eventually subdued them and rescued one kidnap victim held hostage in their den.
A statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the ongoing operation would be sustained until criminality was subdued in the region.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the District Head of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Obele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Sylvanus Ogbu.
A reliable source said that the kidnappers broke into the house of the clergyman at about 2am, yesterday, and took him to an unknown destination.
The source said the abductors are yet to make contact with the church.
The source confirmed that Pastor Sylvanus Ogbu hails from Akwukabi community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state.
As at press time last night, no official confirmation of the incident has been received from the police.