Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) have effectively deactivated over 15 illegal refining sites, arrested Ten suspects, dismantled over 30 cooking pots, and intercepted Eleven vehicles.
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah.
According to the report, numerous vessels and more than 115,000 litres of illicit merchandise were seized at multiple locations.
According to the statement, “In Rivers State, following a tip-off on oil theft around SIAT Farm, Elele in Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), troops mobilised to the scene and intercepted a truck with Reg No GDD 831 ZN Anambra loaded with about 40,000 litres of stolen crude. Similarly, at Sankri in Okrika LGA, the operations led to the deactivation of 3 illegal refining sites and, the destruction of 2 wooden boats with over 26,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
“This feat was also recorded at Dapama in Bille general area, Degema LGA, where over 4 illegal refining sites were taken out, 2 wooden boats stocked with over 10,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 6,000 litres of stolen crude were intercepted.
“At the stretch of the Imo Riverside, troops identified and destroyed several illegal refining sites, and make-shift structures in camps, with one big pot and over 30 cooking drum pots dismantled. Others included the destruction of 4 wooden boats, One fibre boat and over 15,000 litres of stolen crude around Okoloma, Obuzor and Ukwa Creeks which were handled appropriately in line with the subsisting mandate.”
The reinvigorated clampdown also paid off in Bayelsa State as evident around the Sabasuo general area in Nembe LGA, where active illegal refining sites were deactivated with over 2,800 litres of stolen product recovered among others.
In Delta State, a trailer with Reg No JJN 167 ZU Plateau was intercepted siphoning crude from the Nigerian Petrolatum Development Company Oil pipeline at Ozoro in Isioko North LGA.
According to the official statement, two persons have been arrested in connection to the crime.
The statement added that several other vehicles loaded with stolen products were intercepted at Obi Anyima Community in Ika South LGA and Ugo Community in Orhiomwon Edo State in follow-up operations conducted.
“In Akwa Ibom State troops recorded some measure of success. Troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted 3 drums of premium motor spirit, at the fringes of Oron waterways. The products were suspected to have been prepared for smuggling to a neighbouring country. Troops have also continued to maintain vigilance in the ongoing anti-bunkering operations in the state to deny economic saboteurs and their collaborators freedom of action,” the statement said.
Lantana Nasir
Comments are closed.