PORT HARCOURT – Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have destroyed over 20 illegal bunkering sites, intercepting 22 boats used for the criminality in the Niger Delta.
The troops also recovered six arms of various calibres and cartridges, according to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma on Sunday.
Danjuma , disclosed that the operations conducted by troops in Rivers State have effectively denied the economic saboteurs freedom of action, as over 118,000 litres of stolen products across the region were recovered.
Lt. Col. Danjuma explained that in Jigama, Bille general area, Degema LGA of Rivers State, troops effectively deactivated four active artisanal refineries, three wooden boats and recovered over 35,000 litres of stolen products.
He stated that the troops also intercepted and destroyed two wooden boats, recovering over 14,000 litres of stolen automative gas oil and 8,000 stolen crude at Krakarma, Bille general area, Degema LGA.
At Orashi River, the Army disclosed that it’s troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,500 litres of condensates, while one suspect was arrested for vandalising the pipeline behind Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Gas Plant in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema LGA, Rivers State.
The 6 Division Nigerian Army Spokesperson further disclosed that the troops at Okokokiri general area, in Nembe LGA, uncovered one illegal refining site, destroying two massive metal tanks, recovering over 30,000 litres of stolen products stored in reservoir
He added that at Diebu Creek in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, two active illegal refining sites with three drums were destroyed, as five boats with over 4,500 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
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Similarly, around Tobo, Obotoro, Arugba and Okegbene Creeks, several illegal refining sites with drums were destroyed, while the troope confiscated six wooden boats with over 15,000 litres of illegally refined products.
The Army further disclosed that two illegal connection points were uncovered by troops at Agip pipeline close to Idu Wellhead, as 200 meters of nylon hose used in illegally siphoning the petroleum product was uncovered and reported accordingly to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for remedial attention.
According to Lt Col Danjuma the troops in Delta State, following a tip off, troops of the Division on routine operation at Oghareki Community in Ethiope West LGA intercepted a Lexus RX 350 Jeep with Reg No Abuja YAB 347 CQ.
He stated that the vehicle was intercepted with three suspects, as an extensive search conducted in the vehicle led to the recovery of five pump action rifles, one dane gun, one axe with 51 cartridges, adding that the three suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for investigation.
Meanwhile, at Opumami Oil Field in Warri South LGA, the Army operatives intercepted one wooden boat in the process of stealing crude from a wellhead at the field, as the suspected vandal fled the scene before troops arrived.
At Benneth Island general area in Warri South LGA, three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities, sacks and drums estimated to contain over 7,500 litres of stolen crude were successfully deactivated by the security forces.
Danjuma, emphasised that the recent feats achieved by the Army in Delta state, were complementary to the numerous seizures of stolen products, particularly at Uzere Community in Isoko South LGA and around Asaba Ase Communities in Ndokwa East LGA.
For Akwa Ibom State, the Army stated that troops have continued to deny criminal elements freedom of action, as was evident with the aggressive patrols being conducted on hinterlands as well as the waterways to ward off criminal activities in the state.
Lt Col. Danjuma however quoted the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam to have commended the troops for their commitment, reassuring that the Division will continue to sustain the ongoing operations.
Major General Abdussalam further reaffirmed that security of critical national assets and infrastructure will continue to be prioritised, Danjuma stated.
