The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has dealt a significant blow to oil thieves in the Niger Delta, eliminating two suspects and arresting 18 others in various anti-illegal bunkering operations.
The division’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, stated that the operations took place in four states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
In Rivers, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, and in Bille, they seized two boats and 6,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Similarly, in Delta, soldiers intercepted a wooden boat siphoning crude oil from Wellhead 8 at Okpoko Oil Field, Warri South Local Government Area.
In Ika North Local Government Area, troops arrested nine suspects and seized 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Meanwhile, in Ekeremor, Bayelsa, soldiers arrested nine suspects, destroyed three illegal refining sites, recovered 14,000 litres of petroleum products, 1,500 litres of crude oil, and intercepted four boats.
During the operations, two vandals were neutralized, and troops recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
In another operation, troops intercepted two wooden boats carrying over 5,000 litres of petroleum products and confiscated two vehicles and four motorcycles abandoned by suspected oil thieves in Odagba village, near Imo River.
Additionally, six drums containing 1,500 litres of petrol were seized in Mbo, Akwa Ibom, as troops foiled an attempt to smuggle the products to a neighbouring country.
The suspects have been handed over to relevant agencies for further investigations and possible prosecution, Lt.-Col. Danjuma disclosed.
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