Discovery : Another 5-Million Litre Capacity Illegal Oil Bunkering Facilities In Rivers

The 6-Division of the Nigerian Army has annouced the discovery and confiscation of 15 boilers and 9 reservoirs with capacity to hold 5-million litres of crude oil from illegal refinery operators at Obuama and Uzuama communities in Kom Kom area of Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State, on Wednesday.

ValidViewNetwork had reported several cases of oil theft in Nigeria,

The army also met, along the river, more than five fully loaded, large Cotonou boats capable of taking upwards of 200,000 to 300,000 litres of crude oil each. 

The operation was similar to that of two weeks ago at Odagwa, in Etche local government area and has the same features as the GOC, his Officers and men had to travel kilometers on land and through the miriwanyi creeks off the long and windy Imo River to get to the illegal kpo fire sites.

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Like at Odagwa, some of the facilities discovered include earthen reservoirs constructed with tarpaulin with some having capacity to hold over 200,000 liters of crude oil, some drums which serve as boilers for the stolen crude and other ancillary accessories of the illegal trade.

Announcing the discovery to newsmen, the General Officer Commanding of the 6- Division of the Nigerian Army and Theatre Commander, Operation Delta Safe Land Component, Major Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, said men of the command carried out the operation based on credible intelligence on the activities of oil thieves.

He said; “In continuation of our operations to destroy illegal refineries and connections within our area of responsibility, and based on credible intelligence early this morning, 31st January, 2024, our troops raided this location. 

“I thought we will not see anything more than the last raid we carried out in Odagwa, but unfortunately, we are seeing very sad and massive illegal activities taking place in this area also”.

Maj. Gen. Abdussalam said that it was very sad that the activities were still going on. “We will not get tired, we will continue doing our job until we get rid of these activities in this area”, he declared. 

He stated that no arrest had been made, pointing out that the army was following some leads in its investigation to unravel and arrest the real culprits behind the illegal trade threatening the economy and well-being of the country.

“We have not been able to get the real culprits. No arrest has been made and as I said before, most of the arrests we make are people and individuals that are just menial labourers working on the sites.

“The real culprits, we have not been able to get them. As you can see, the facilities here are not something a common person on the road will come and set up.”

He added that the Division has several leads and were hopeful they would lead to the people that are actually responsible.

“As you can see, the facilities here, it is not common person on the road that will come to set up, it needs money, expertise and careful setting beyond the labourers we arrested last time”, the GOC stated. 

“Our message has always remained the same, this activity is criminal, illegal and dirty. We call on these criminals who are into these activities to embrace peace and engage in legitimate business like other Nigerians and allow the government do what it’s supposed to do.

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