September 4, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian army troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, have uncovered oil thieves’ camps in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.
A statement issued on Monday, by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, 6 wooden boats laden with stolen crude and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), concealed in the camps were uncovered by the troops on Saturday, September 2.
The statement read: “Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA), in synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have continued to crack down on saboteurs of Nigeria’s oil sector in Southern Nigeria.
“Troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion conducting anti-oil theft operations on Saturday, 2 September 2023, cracked down on oil thieves’ camps in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.
“In the crackdown, the vigilant troops discovered 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, 6 wooden boats laden with stolen crude and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camps.
“Relatedly, same troops also intercepted a vehicle conveying 25 polythene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu Community, in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
“In a similar operation, also conducted on 2 September 2023, 3 Battalion troops intercepted two wooden boats ladened with stolen crude in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta state.
“The troops also arrested two suspects in connection with the crime. Both suspects and the illegal products have been handed over to NSCDC personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for further action.
“Members of the public are implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.”
