January 19, (THEWILL) – Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), conducting clearance operations at Umuedeokwara Community, Odogwa Town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, have uncovered an illegal oil bunkering site.
A statement by Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops arrested six suspects at the site.
General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdusalam, decried the high level of criminality.
Speaking with newsmen at the site, the GOC said, “We are here to let Nigerians know what is happening here. In fact, even if you use the air, using a helicopter or drone, you won’t be able to see what we saw on the ground.
“We have discovered so many illegalities taking place here. We have seen reservoirs, boilers with a network of pipes and cables, amongst others.”
Noting that the crude oil discovered at the site was unprecedented, Abdusalam said a total of 19 reservoirs, with each containing a minimum of 200,000 litres of crude, translating to over 3,000,000 litres, were discovered at the site.
Major General Abdussalam warned perpetrators to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate businesses or face the full wrath of the law.
The GOC said the site will be destroyed in collaboration with relevant agencies.
