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Nigerian Military arrests crude oil thieves, destroys illegal refineries

An Illegal Oil Refinery in Niger Delta Region

*Operatives arrested seven suspected oil thieves, recovered stolen crude, destroyed a number of illegal refineries in South-South, South-West ─ Defence Media Operations

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says the nation’s military has intensified its aggressive fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, bunkering, economic saboteurs and other criminal activities in the country.

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, stated this while giving a weekly update on the operations of Armed Forces Friday, September 18, in Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect gathered Enenche disclosed that between September 12 and 17, 2020, the armed forces arrested seven suspected oil thieves, recovered barrels of stolen crude oil, and destroyed numbers of illegal refineries in the South-South and South- West zones in the country.

The Coordinator of Defence Media Operations said that within the period under review, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team in the South-South located and immobilised an illegal refining site at Mudukiri Creek, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Enenche stated: “The site had a metal reservoir laden with an estimated 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“In the same vein, Forward Operating Base BONNY patrol team discovered and dismantled an illegal refining site in Ataba, Andoni LGA of Rivers.

“The team discovered eight metal storage tanks and four dugout pits laden with about 1,289.45 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.”

The Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE clearance operation team acting on credible intelligence on a suspected pirates and sea robber’s camp at Otoyo, Akwa-Ibom, raided the camp, said he.

Security Operatives on the Trail of Crude Oil Thieves   Photo: AfricaCheck.Org

He added that “the team recovered one AK 47 rifle with two magazines, two Pump Action Rifles, 20 rounds of 7.62 and 39mm ammunition, one Fishing Gun, one Tecno phone, a bag of hard drugs, one diving face mask and one hand-held metal detector.

“Between September 12 and September 17, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team around Utan Inyata Creek arrested two suspects and two small-sized wooden boats laden with 165 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon.”

He noted that the items and suspects are currently in custody of the Base and will be handed over to Nigeria Customs Service Component of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE for further action.

Enenche said: “Within the period under review, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team arrested five suspects with 45 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

“The suspects and items are currently in custody and will be handed over to NSCDC Uyo Command for further necessary action.”

Troops of Operation AWATSE in the South-West zone, also intensified the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the area.

He added that on September 11, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT handed over MT SEA SUPPLY and her crew to NIMASA after proper documentation in line with the existing Standard Operating Procedure.

“On September 12, the patrol team of Forward Operating Base IGBOKODA immobilised three illegal refineries containing 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Agbelemsema Zion 2.

“The location is a border community between Ese Odo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo and Warri North LGA in Delta.

“Troops have continued to dominate the general area with clearance and aggressive patrols while maintaining surveillance to rid the area of pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs,” he said.

He stated that the Military High Command commended all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their commitment, determination and dedication.

Enenche encouraged the troops to remain firm and decisive in curtailing the activities of all criminal elements in the country.

“Members of the general public are hereby assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies will continue to tackle the security challenges and will ensure that normalcy is attained in all the geo-political zones of the country,” said the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations.

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