Joint operatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and the Tantita Security firm conducting Anti Oil Theft Operations in Southern Nigeria, have busted and destroyed illegal oil refineries in Delta and Imo states in the Southern region of the country.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, who made this known on Friday in a statement said that troops of 34 Artillery Brigade on Thursday uncovered and destroyed two revamped oil bunkering camps in Egbema West of Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the State.
According to the Army spokesperson, the troops completely shut down the operation of the illegal refining site containing 44 drum ovens, three reservoirs of estimated 30,000 litres capacity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 53 sacks of AGO.
He further stated that troops of 3 Battalion in conjunction with members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as TANTITA Security Services also destroyed four active illegal refining camps in Opumami Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Nwachukwu said that the anti-oil theft operatives destroyed three wooden boats, six ovens, six reservoirs, 11 drums containing illegally refined AGO, one large reservoir loaded with stolen crude oil, 38 sacks of stolen crude oil and two tapping hoses.
Also, he said that in a separate sustained operation to rid the North East of terrorism and insurgency, combined troops of 192 Battalion and 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in conjunction with Hybrid Force, on Thursday conducted offensive operations within the general areas of Gobara, Ambaga and Madachi in Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State.
He noted that during the operations, troops killed three Boko Haram Terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one Beretta Pistol, 17 rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition, four rounds of 9 mm Ammunition and a Dane Gun.
Similarly, combined troops of 231 Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment, while mounting a Stop and Search operation along Biu - Maiduguri road intercepted five Boko Haram terrorists logistics suppliers and recovered two vehicles conveying 20 bags of maize, 11 bags of soya beans, 11 bags of biscuits, 14 bags of rice, 46 bags of corn flours and the sum of N3,186,000.
According to him, the suspects are currently in custody helping with further investigation.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has lauded the troops' high level of resoluteness and alertness. He urged them to sustain the momentum and ensure remnants of terrorists and oil thieves in their areas of responsibility are completely cleared,” he said.
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