By: Felix Ikpotor
The Nigeria Army 6 Division says it has successfully destroyed no fewer 46 illegal oil mining sites in states under its area of responsibility between April and May this year.
The army said the action is in line with its constitutional mandate to curb economic sabotage, sea piracy and associated insecurities across Nigeria and to increase production by oil companies.
This was contained in a statement by the Colonel Sagir Musa, the Acting Director Army Public Relations
Musa said, “A look at the anti-illegal oil bunkering and anti sea piracy operations conducted across the Division’s AOR between 16 April – 26 May 2019 indicated that troops of 16 Brigade (Bde) successfully conducted many anti-illegal oil bunkering operations within Asitobo/Tumbo Creek and Ukparatobu in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State, Obiafu in ONLGA, Ubeta, Oyakama and Obodi in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, Ebelebiri in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State and Ogbotobo in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State”.
He said during the operations, 46 illegal oil refining sites were located and destroyed along with 85 sacks/cellophane bags, 10 drums and 4 Cotonou boats all containing illegally refined products.
Additionally, Musa said 10 suspects were arrested while 2 motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were recovered, adding that the vigilant troops also arrested 3 suspected sea robbers at Foropa in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State on 26 April 2019 with one locally made gun and 3 live cartridges and that all suspects and exhibits have since been handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
The Army spokesman said similar operations were concurrently launched in 63 Bde AOR. Hence, troops of 3 Battalion in conjunction with troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE (JTF OPDS) carefully planned and successfully executed massive anti-illegal oil bunkering operations covering Jones, Yeye and Otumara creeks, as well as Beneth Island and Otumara general area of Warri South-West LGA of Delta State while imilar operations were also conducted in Ozoro, Otor-Igho communities and Ozoro-Kwale road in Isoko North LGA of Delta State and Uguangwe, Ubeji, Ogbokodo-Itsekiri, Okogho, Okerisa/Ugboritseduwa Creeks and Makaraba in Warri South LGA of Delta State.
Stating further Musa said the troops also operated along the Benin River in Warri North LGA, Uvwie LGA, Yorki in Burutu LGA, Sapele LGA, Ejekota, Ewu general area and Orere Waterside all in Ughelli LGA of Delta State among others.
The statement noted that a total of 35 sting operations were conducted during the period under review, in which 65 illegal oil refineries were located and destroyed in addition to 150 cellophane bags, 120 drums and 15 Cotonou boats containing illegally acquired products while 7 suspects were arrested and handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
Musa said operations are routinely conducted by the Division’s Special Company (SC) in Rivers State as troops of the SC patriotically patrolled the entire Rivers State including Abonnema Wharf, Total Elf, Trans Amadi Layout, East-West Road, Aluu, Marine Base, Abuloma, Mbodo and Makoba among others.
He this action denied criminals and saboteurs freedom of action with a boost to Nigeria’s economic fortunes.
Other achievements of the operations within the period are the identification and subsequent destruction of 28 illegal oil refineries along with 1000 sacks/cellophane bags, 760 drums of illegally refined products, 25 dump sites and 6 loaded Cotonou boats containing illegally acquired products.
Additionally, 12 suspects were arrested along with 60 Tankers/Trucks as well as 26 four-wheel vehicles used in the criminal act of economic sabotage.
