By Victor Akaa.
Troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA) have escalated clearance operations in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), successfully disrupting criminal activities and denying freedom of action to illicit elements.
Acting Deputy Director 6 Div Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in a statement on Monday that troops through comprehensive operations in conjunction with other security agencies across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), have neutralized 37 illegal refining sites, identified and dismantled 10 illegal connection points, and destroyed 6 wooden boats used for conveying stolen products.
Troops also arrested 9 suspected oil thieves, confiscated 7 vehicles, 8 motorcycles, and 4 trucks used for illicit activities and seized over 221,000 litres of illegally refined products
Additionally, troops frustrated attempts by criminals to establish new bunkering hubs in the region.
He said, that in Rivers State, troops: confiscated over 15,000 litres of stolen crude in Imo River
, deactivated 9 active illegal refining sites and destroyed 5 wooden boats in Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, recovered over 8,500 litres of stolen products, 116 sacks, and 10 empty metal drums along Ebocha Ndoni road
Similar successes were also recorded in Delta State, with the interception of a tanker truck loaded with suspected stolen crude, an empty truck positioned to steal crude oil from SEPLAT Energy Nigeria Plc trunkline, and an illegal crude oil tapping point under construction
While in Edo State, troops arrested two persons with a tanker containing suspected stolen products.
The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, NA, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops’ resilience and reassured the public that the Division would continue to deny criminal elements a foothold in the region.
He also assured the Division’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for increased oil production in the region.
All arrested suspects have been handed over to the relevant authorities for prosecution.
