Troops crackdown on oil thieves in Imo, Delta

The Nigeria Army has confirmed its cracked down on illegal refineries in Imo and Delta, with seizure of several litres of illegally refined Petroleum products. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the confirmation in a statement in Abuja. Nwachukwu said the Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment, on Monday, cracked down on an oil thieves’ camp in Obokofia Community in Imo while conducting anti-oil theft operations. According to him, the vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp. He added that the troops also recovered two pumping machines, three power generators, one hose and a tool box used for hacking into oil pipelines. Nwachukwu said the troops, while acting on credible information, on Tuesday, intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the creeks of Egbema West in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo. “The vigilant troops equally intercepted two vehicles loaded with 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO within the same general area. “Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,” he said. According to him, “Troops of 3 Battalion also on Monday, clamped down on an active illegal oil refining site containing three cooking ovens and six reservoirs at Enokora Community in Burutu LGA of Delta.”

Oil thieves scamper as troops destroy illegal refineries in Delta

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have destroyed eight active ovens used for refining of stolen crude oil around Ogbokoko and Atu in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta on Wednesday. The troops also destroyed 14 reservoirs containing an estimated 200,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,000 litres of diesel, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Thursday in Abuja. He stated that the destruction was conducted in a swoop on the area by troops conducting anti-oil theft operations. Nwachukwu added that the oil thieves fled upon sighting the advancement of troops. “The illegal refining site was destroyed in line with extant guidelines of `Operation Delta Safe’. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing criminals. “Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance on-going operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,’’ Nwachukwu stated.