…recover 40,000 litres of stolen products
By Nelson Utip
Troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have destroyed many illegal oil bunkering sites located in the forests of Delta and Rivers states, the operations for the joint task force led to some discoveries, which is in line with the federal government’s directive to security chiefs to end all forms of economic sabotage, especially oil theft in the country.
A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the illegal bunkering sites were uncovered following credible intelligence, he said that the operatives identified and successfully destroyed three sites at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area (LGA).
“The operation led to the confiscation and subsequent destruction of over 30000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products”, he said.
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According to him, at Akaso field down to Cawthorne channel, around Well 9, troops clamped down on one illegal refinery which has three receivers and massive connecting pipes within the environment to convey stolen crude to the site.
The Army Officer said that other items were also confiscated and destroyed at the sites in line with the mandate of OPDS.
“Similarly, in Bayelsa State, troops of Sector 2, while conducting routine operations in the creeks, waterways, and rivulets along Dasaba Creek in Nembe LGA, confiscated over 12000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.
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“Other Items recovered at the IRS include one fibre boat, five ovens, several metal drums as well as massive reservoirs used as storage facilities for this illegal venture.
“While commending troops for the renewed vigour, the General Officer Commanding, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged them to redouble their efforts in denying these criminal elements free of action in the NDR.
“This he said, would ensure the integrity of the pipelines and increase oil production in the region in pursuant of the mandate of OPDS in the NDR.” Danjuma said.
