By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja.
In a bid to consolidate on the operational successes recorded, troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have deactivated more illegal Refineries and arrested scores of bunkers in the Niger Delta Region.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the acting deputy director,
6 Division Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah said, “It is evident during a clearance operation conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, a thickly forested area known to be a haven for illegal bunkering activities.
He said, the area which is a border between Abia and Rivers States is concealed from air reconnaissance, as criminals engage in large scale economic sabotage without being detected easily.
Colonel Danjuma also noted that the intelligence led operation, which was conducted by 29 Battalion in conjunction with other security agencies led to the successful deactivation of over thirteen (13) illegal refining sites, with massive dugouts, which had Seven(7) filled with over Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand(250,000) litres of stolen crude.
According to him, this is addition to over Ten Thousand(10,000) litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil(AGO), as well as other associated products uncovered in the area.
“In the same vein, troops of 2 Brigade, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Toyota Bus with Reg No UYY 962 MJ, at Abeapo Community along Road Onna – Eket in Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
“The bus was conveying over twenty(20) bags of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, estimated to be over 1000 litres. Three(3) suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime and are currently being interrogated.
He said, the General Officer Commnading, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, called on the criminal elements in the region to embrace legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
” He also called on them to shun any act capable of sabotaging critical national infrastructures and assets.” The statement added.
