…Confiscate Over 60,000 Litres Of Stolen Products
By ERIC MOORE
TROOPS of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said they have gunned down persons and arrested 18 for their alleged involvement in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
Acting Deputy Director,
6 Division Army Public Relations,
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said while consolidating on the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations, the division have continued to dominate the Niger Delta region (NDR), with enormous operational successes recorded.
Danjuma said: “In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK 47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered eight illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.”
He disclosed that following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA), troops swiftly mobilised to the scene.
The 6 Division APR said on getting to the scene, the criminal elements engaged troops in fire fight, but they (suspects) were overwhelmed by the superior power force from the troops.
He explained: “In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralised two of the criminals, recovered two AK 47 rifles, eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Danjuma continued: “At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products.
“Likewise, at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, destroyed one oven and receiver each within the swampy area of Odagba village.
“Also, along road Ndoni Obiafu, troops sighted suspected oil thieves who fled and abandoned two vehicles, a KIA with Reg No DG 991 PHC Rivers and a Toyota Avalon with Reg No GWB 972 HM Abia with four motorcycles.”
According to the APR, further surveillance revealed the vehicles were loaded with over 28 sacks suspected to be illegally refined products estimated to be over 1,700 litres of stolen products.
In another development, the troops on routine patrol arrested two suspected oil thieves within the vicinity of an illegal connection point, along Edia bridge Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.
“At Imo River, two active illegal refining sites were deactivated around Owaza Odogwa Creeks, four wooden boats used criminality were destroyed, four pumping machines, over 10 cooking pots as well as several items were recovered with over 6,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
“At Alakiri general area in Okrika LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, equipped with several fabricated ovens, and unquantified litres of stolen products.”
Also, in Delta State, at Okpoko in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted late at night siphoning crude from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field.
“Relatedly, at Ndemili Community, a border between Ndokwa West and Ika North LGAs, troops discovered and confiscated a reservoir stocked with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude.
Danjuma stated that the troops also sighted sacks in the general area concealed, suspected to be used in transporting stolen products, adding that further combing of the area, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves.
He said: “At Oleh, following a tip off, troops intercepted two vehicles, a Honda Accord with Reg No Taraba USS 431 AA and Pacio mini bus with Reg No Lagos APP 296 EP ladened with 33 sacks of stolen products within Asaba and Ase communities in Ndokwa East LGA.
“At Orde bridge, along road Odorobu Bomadi in Bomadi LGA, troops arrested a Toyota bus with Reg No AR 284 loaded with 20 cellophane bags stocked with stolen products and carefully concealed inside 67 empty crates of bottled drinks. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested. While, at Burutu three persons have been arrested with stolen products.
In Bayelsa State, along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops intercepted seven suspects in two fibre boats with sacks of stolen products estimated to be over 1,000 litres.
“At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted one suspect with navdalised NAOC armoured cables, one saw, one iron bar and a shovel in a locally made wooden boat. Also, at Apuama in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated one illegal refining site and confiscated over 3,000 stolen products.
“This feat was also recorded at Okegbene creeks, where two illegal refining sites, drums and one wooden boat were destroyed. The operations also led to the confiscation of over 10,000 litres of stolen products. Same was also done at Obotoro Creek, where one wooden boat was intercepted with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.”
“In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA. The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.”
He added that all the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandate in the region.
The General Officer Commnading, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam while commending troops for the successes recorded, reassured that the Division will continue to sustain ongoing operations.
He also said, the Division will continue to provide security for the nation’s critical national infrastructure in the region.