Army Neutralises Two Armed Vandals, Arrests 18, Recovers Arms, Stolen Crude

PORT HARCOURT – In sustaining the ongoing war against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have neutralised two armed vandals, arresting 18 suspects and recovering two AK 47 rifles.

The troops also destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats and confiscating over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations on Sunday, disclosed that the feats were achieved following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Danjuma, explained that the

troops on getting to the scene, were engaged by the criminals in a gunfight, adding that during the gun duel, two of the criminals were gunned down, while eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition were recovered.

He stated that at the wake of the operation two AK 47 rifles were recovered, while other suspects fled in disarray, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

According to Danjuma, the troops during the operation, deactivated four illegal refining sites, while two wooden boats ladened with over 6,000 litres of stolen products in Bille in Degema LGA of Rivers were destroyed.

He noted that at Odagba village in Etche LGA of the state, at the fringes of Imo River, the troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, adding that one oven and a receiver each within the swampy area of Odagba village were destroyed.

The Army also revealed that it’s troops sighted and chased some suspected oil thieves who fled and abandoned two vehicles, a KIA with Reg No DG 991 PHC Rivers and a Toyota Avalon with Reg No GWB 972 HM Abia with four motorcycles along Ndoni Obiafu road, loaded with over 28 sacks suspected to be illegally refined products estimated to be over 1,700 litres of stolen products.

In another development, the Army during routine patrol arrested two suspected oil thieves near an illegal connection point, along Edia bridge Ndoni in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.

Highlighting the recent achievements of the army within the Niger Delta region, Lt Col. Danjuma stated: “At Imo River, two active illegal refining sites were deactivated around Owaza Odogwa Creeks, 4 wooden boats used criminality were destroyed, 4 pumping machines, over 10 cooking pots as well as several items were recovered with over 6,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.

“At Alakiri general area in Okrika LGA, troops deactivated one illegal refining site, equipped with several fabricated ovens, and unquantified litres of stolen products.

“In Delta State, at Okpoko in Warri South LGA, one wooden boat was intercepted late at night siphoning crude from Well 8 at Okpoko Oil Field, the suspected oil thieves fled into the bush on sighting troops. Relatedly, at Ndemili Community, a border between Ndokwa West and Ika North LGAs, troops discovered and confiscated a reservoir stocked with over 2,000 litres of stolen crude.

“Troops also sighted sacks in the general area concealed, suspected to be used in transporting stolen products. Further combing of the area, led to the arrest of 5 suspected oil thieves. At Oleh, following a tip off, troops intercepted 2 vehicles, a Honda Accord with Reg No Taraba USS 431 AA and Pacio mini bus with Reg No Lagos APP 296 EP ladened 33 sacks of stolen products within Asaba and Ase communities in Ndokwa East LGA.

Speaking further he said: “At Orde bridge, along road Odorobu Bomadi in Bomadi LGA, troops arrested a Toyota bus with Reg No AR 284 loaded with 20 cellophane bags stocked with stolen products and carefully concealed inside 67 empty crates of bottled drinks. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested. While, at Burutu 3 persons have been arrested with stolen products.

“In Bayelsa State, along the Nun River in Southern Ijaw LGA, troops intercepted 7 suspects in 2 fibre boats with sacks of stolen products estimated to be over 1,000 litres.

“At Clough Creek in Ekeremor LGA, troops intercepted one suspect with vandalized NAOC armoured cables, one saw, one iron bar and a shovel in a locally made wooden boat. Also, at Apuama in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated one illegal refining site and confiscated over 3,000 stolen products.

“This feat was also recorded at Okegbene creeks, where 2 illegal refining sites, drums and one wooden boat were destroyed. The operations also led to the confiscation of over 10,000 litres of stolen products. Same was also done at Obotoro Creek, where one wooden boat was intercepted with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude.

“In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted 6 drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA. The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.

“All the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandate in the region,” Danjuma said.

Lt. Col. Danjuma also quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, to have commended the troops for the successes recorded, reassuring that the Division will continue to sustain the ongoing operations.

Maj. General Abdussalam stated that the Division will continue to provide security for the nation’s critical national infrastructure in the region.