Maj.-Gen. Eric Emekah, the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has promised to surpass the daily crude oil production target set by the Federal Government, emphasizing his commitment to leading by example.
Emekah, who succeeds Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, expressed optimism in his maiden address, that the division will exceed the Federal Government’s target of 2.3 million barrels per day in crude oil production.
He charged troops to work hard to surpass the achievements of the division and the Federal Government’s target, promising to lead by example.
The new GOC is also expected to double as the land components commander, joint task force Southsouth operations, Delta safe.
Under his leadership, troops have already achieved significant successes in the fight against oil thieves.
According to a press statement by Lt.-Col. Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, troops dismantled 13 illegal bunkering hubs, demobilized four boats, and arrested 15 oil thieves between January 20 and 26.
The troops also recovered over 300,000 litres of stolen products, dismantled 150 locally made ovens, and intercepted a tanker siphoning crude oil from a pipeline.
Emekah commended the troops for their efforts, warning oil thieves that “the days of criminal elements particularly economic saboteurs and associated crimes are numbered.”
“While on routine, anti-illegal bunkering operations, troops swooped on a vandalised point, with a large pool stocked with 252,000 litres of stolen crude oil at Ugo community in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The products were suspected to have been stolen from a vandalised point.
“Further exploitation in the area led to the recovery of pumping machine, hose and pipes. At Asade community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, troops intercepted a red 30,000 litres capacity DAF tanker truck without a Number Plate, siphoning crude from PAN Ocean Nigeria Limited Pipeline, located in the bush in Ovade general area.
“It was discovered that over 15,000 litres of stolen crude was already siphoned before the truck was intercepted.
“In Rivers State, particularly on the Imo River corridor, the operations led to the confiscation of over 10,000 litres of stolen products. These products were recovered around Lekuma, Abiama and Oyigbo.
“Also, an illegal refining site was discovered on Odagwa along the Imo River waterways. On arrival at a camp at Owaza general area, it was noted to be fully active.
“The criminals deserted the area on sighting troops. In a follow-up operations conducted, one pump action gun was recovered,” the statement said.
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