By The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division reports that after a gunfight, its agents neutralized two armed vandals engaged in unlawful oil bunkering and retrieved two AK-47 weapons. Additionally, 18 individuals were taken into custody in different Niger Delta states.
The Army added that the troops confiscated more than 60,000 liters of stolen goods throughout the area and destroyed seven boats, eight unlawful connecting points, and thirteen illegal refining stations.
In a statement released on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Lit-Col. Jonah Danjuma, the acting deputy director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, revealed this information. Danjuma claimed that the achievement came about as a result of the Army’s consolidation of its continuing anti-illegal bunkering operations and that it had achieved great success in the area that is rich in gas and crude oil.
The statement read, “In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered 8 illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 liters of stolen products across the region.
“Following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilized to the scene.
“The criminal elements engaged the troops in a firefight as they arrived at the scene.” During the ensuing gunfight, two of the criminals were neutralized by the forces, and they also found two AK-47 weapons, eight magazines, and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition. The remaining criminals escaped in confusion. The evading suspects are still being sought after.
“At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats and handled over 6,000 liters of stolen products. Likewise, at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 liters of stolen products, destroyed one oven and received each within the swampy area of Odagba village.”
The statement further noted, “In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 liters at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.
“The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighboring 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 mandates in the region.”
The division’s General Officer Commanding, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, reassured all that the division would continue to sustain ongoing operations across the Niger Delta region.
