Mohammed Shosanya
The Nigerian Army has destroyed 13 Illegal refineries, impounded 261,000 litres of stolen crude in the nation’s Niger Delta region.
The army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, in a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed that troops over the weekend uncovered the illegal refining sites, with massive dugouts in a forest between Rivers and Abia States around the Imo River.
He noted that seven of the dugout pits were filled with over 250,000 litres of stolen crude oil, adding that over 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) was confiscated from the area.
The statement said troops of the division also intercepted a Toyota Bus conveying over 20 bags of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, estimated to be over 1000 litres at Abeapo Community along Road Onna – Eket in Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State, arresting 3 suspects.
The statement reads:”In a bid to consolidate on the operational successes recorded, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have maintained a foothold of the operating environment in the Niger Delta region. This was evident during a clearance operation conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, a thickly forested area known to be a haven for illegal bunkering activities.
“The area which is a border between Abia and Rivers States is concealed from air reconnaissance, as criminals engage in large scale economic sabotage without being detected easily.
“The intelligence led operation, which was conducted by 29 Battalion in conjunction with other security agencies led to the successful deactivation of over thirteen illegal refining sites, with massive dugouts, which had 7 filled with over 250,000 litres of stolen crude.
“This was in addition to over 10,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), as well as other associated products uncovered in the area.
“In the same vein, troops of 2 Brigade, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Toyota Bus with Reg No UYY 962 MJ, at Abeapo Community along Road Onna – Eket in Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State. The bus was conveying over twenty (20) bags of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, estimated to be over 1000 litres. Three (3) suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime and are currently being interrogated.”
The statement further stated that the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, following the feat commended the troops for the achievement.
He,however,called on criminal elements in the region to embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
He also called on them to shun any act capable of sabotaging critical national infrastructures and assets.
