By Victor Akaa.
In a bold and decisive move, troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), have launched a comprehensive crackdown on economic sabotage in the Niger Delta Region.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations 6 Division, revealed this in a statement on Sunday said the raid led to the arrest of 21 suspects, the deactivation of 43 illegal refining sites, and the confiscation of over 120 litres of stolen products.
The operation is a testament to the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure, Enugu Reporters gathered.
According to the statement, in Bayelsa State, a joint operation with other security agencies resulted in the arrest of 12 pipeline vandals in Ojobo Community, Ekeremor LGA. The suspects were caught with a barge containing a swamp buggy, tug boat, and vandalized Shell Production Development Company (SPDC) pipes, highlighting the sophistication and brazenness of the vandals.
Further operations in Southern Ijaw LGA led to the destruction of illegal refining sites, interception of wooden boats, and recovery of stolen products.
Similar successes were recorded in Rivers State, with the deactivation of illegal refining sites, storage points, and interception of wooden boats loaded with stolen crude.
“Troops around Bille and Abiseni general area in Degema and Akuku-Toru LGAs deactivated 5 illegal refining sites and 3 large storage points containing over 28000 litres of stolen crude, which have been handled appropriately.
“Also, troops conducting pipeline surveillance around oil wellheads at Cawthorne Channel I, II and III general areas also in Degema LGA intercepted a wooden boat loaded with over 5000 litres of crude,” part of the statement revealed.
In Delta State, similar successes were recorded with the deactivation of illegal refining sites and storage points and the arrest of pipeline vandals.
“One illegal refining site at Ikpemu Creek with over 5000 litres of stolen products has been deactivated accordingly.
“In addition, several illegal refining sites have been taken out with various products confiscated within the Division’s Area of Responsibility. The vandals arrested would be handed over to the relevant prosecuting agencies.” He stated.
The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their efforts and charged them to scale up operations against economic sabotage.
He warned criminal elements to embrace legitimate livelihoods and desist from sabotaging the nation’s economy, emphasizing the Army’s resolve to protect national assets and interests.
The arrested vandals will be handed over to relevant prosecutor agencies, serving as a deterrent to others engaged in similar criminal activities.
The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the security and stability of the Niger Delta Region and will continue to work tirelessly to protect the nation’s economic interests.
