The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah has toured the Imo River stretch notorious for oil theft for an on-the-spot assessment of an ongoing economic sabotage along the corridor.
The Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed the development at the weekend and said the GOC traversed the entire Imo River stretch through the waterways and deep into the adjoining creeks and rivulets.
He said Maj.-Gen. Emekah visited illegal bunkering havens, around Afam, Obeama, and Umuori Creek all in Obigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers as well as Asa waterways in Abia State.
“These places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities. During the visit, the GOC ordered all life-supporting structures and several illegal refining sites to be taken out in those identified sites.
“He enjoined the troops to comb the entire stretch, with the adjoining forests and ensure they destroy all illegal refining sites”, Danjuma said.
Read Also: inDrive unveils cashless bank transfer feature in Nigeria
Danjuma further confirmed that troops in conjunction with other security agencies arrested 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivated 25 illegal refining sites and demobilized 18 boats used for criminality with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered.
He said in Rivers State, the troops on routine night patrol intercepted a 45,000 litres capacity DAF truck with multiple plate numbers, stealing crude along Trans Niger Pipeline 36 inches row.
He said the criminals fled and abandoned the truck on sighting troops adding that along the Odagwa – Imo River stretch in Etche Local Government Area (LGA), the troops intercepted two wooden boats ladened with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude.
Danjuma said while, around Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, the troops discovered three illegal bunkering dumpsites with over 3,420 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), stored in sacks with two hoses recovered explaining that two suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the crime.
He said following a tip-off about illegal activities around Karakarma in Degema LGA, the troops intercepted three wooden boats with over 3,200 litres of stolen crude.
“Other seizures were made at Kumufari and Ogbonma Forests in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA, and Okobhio Forest in Degema LGA. Around Imo River, troops deactivated 19 illegal refining sites, 51 drum pots, and 34 drum receivers with over 4,000 stolen products handled”, he said.
He said in Delta State, the troops projected force into Benneth Island general area in Warri South West LGA, where three active illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several holding facilities destroyed and over 6,300 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
“This feat was also replicated at Omadino general area in Warri South, where two active illegal refining sites were taken out with a number of holding facilities destroyed as well as over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO recovered”, he said.
Danjuma said other seizures of AGO, were made along the Aladja general area in Udu LGA, where troops confiscated illegally refined AGO, and stored it within the premises of CP Villa and Kazo Hotels respectively.
He confirmed that four suspects were arrested in connection to the crime assing that at Eku Community in Ethiope East, following credible intelligence, the troops arrested one person in possession of a pump action rifle.
Danjuma said: “In Bayelsa State, around Etelabu Forest in Yenagoa, troops swooped on a newly established illegal refining site with over 1,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. Relatedly, around Biseni also in Yenagoa, troops intercepted a tricycle loaded with an unspecified quantity of illegally refined AGO, which was abandoned by the owner on sighting troops. Efforts are currently ongoing to track the source of the illicit supply.
“Also, around Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, troops while closing up on an illegal refining site, discovered the access road was blocked with logs of wood and damaged wooden boats. Attempt to clear the route, was met with resistance by armed oil thieves, who opened fire on troops.
“The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon the area. Two wooden boats were destroyed with an unspecified quantity of stolen crude handled appropriately.
“The reinvigorated crackdown is also progressing in Akwa Ibom State, with troops dominating the operations area, denying the criminal elements freedom of action. This has effectively thwarted the activities of economic saboteurs in the State”.