Troops arrests 10, recovers 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil in South-South Nigeria

By: James Bwala

Ten (10) criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested during operation Delta Safe in the South-South region in the last two weeks of operations by Troops.

Also a total 637,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.

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Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko in a statement on Friday said Operation DELTA SAFE has continued to sustain its operational tempo in the fight against illegal oil production and other sundry crimes through kinetic and non-kinetic means in the South-South Zone.

Troops’ land, maritime and air operations within the past 2 weeks yielded appreciable results and forestalled activities of vandals as well as other economic saboteurs in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

“Some of these operations were executed at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Emohua, Ikwere, Port Harcourt and Ahoada LGAs of Rivers State.

“Other locations are villages, towns and creeks in; Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LGAs of Delta State as well as in Ekeremor, Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Bayelsa State.” He said.

According to the statement, operations were also conducted at Opobo creek and some communities in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State as well as Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, which yielded significant results within the period under review.

“Troops discovered and immobilized a total of 39 illegal refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits and 96 storage tanks.

“Also, troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of different caliber of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanized pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations.” The statement said.