Troops of the Nigerian Army have destroyed an illegal crude oil refining site in Rivers State as part of coordinated operations that also led to the rescue of abducted victims, arrest of criminal suspects and disruption of illicit activities across the country within the last 24 hours.

A reliable military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the troops dismantled ovens, reservoirs and pipelines used for illegal refining and economic sabotage in the state.

The source said that in the North-West, troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued four kidnapped victims during a fighting patrol at the Yarsenta area.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted on January 26 from Makera Village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and were later found wandering in the bush before their safe recovery.

According to the source, troops have sustained aggressive, intelligence-driven patrols across Zamfara State, denying bandits freedom of movement and reassuring residents through continuous military presence.

Under Operation MESA, troops in Kogi State intercepted a surrendered bandit linked to notorious criminal gangs, recovering a locally fabricated firearm and a mobile phone.

In the South-South, troops of the Joint Task Force arrested a suspected impostor attempting to gain unauthorised access to a military formation, thereby foiling a potential security breach.

The source added that troops, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), also arrested four suspected drug peddlers in Delta State, recovering quantities of cannabis and other controlled substances.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to sustain coordinated operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, protecting civilians and securing critical national assets nationwide.