General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has warned vandals and economic saboteurs to shun illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) and embrace legitimate ventures to make a living.
He gave the warning when he led an onslaught against vandals and economic saboteurs, around waterways, creeks and rivulets in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement by the acting deputy director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the GOC expressed the determination of troops to continually deny criminals freedom of action in the region.
The statement said the troops raided several illegal oil bunkering sites at Obama and Uzoma in Kom-Kom Community at Oyingbo local government area (LGA) of Rivers State.
He said the troops of the Division during a raid deactivated an illegal refinery with over 15 boilers, nine reservoirs, extensive interconnected pipes amongst several other items used for the organised large scale criminality.
The troops also recovered stolen crude worth over 5 million liters, intercepted several large Cotonou boats, capable of transporting over 200,000 litres filled with crude oil.
The GOC called on the perpetrators of these criminal acts to shun illegal oil bunkering, as it is illegal, criminal, and dirty.
He urged them to embrace legitimate means of businesses and allow the government to do what is supposed to do.
“We can see the facilities here. It is not something that ordinary people can set up. It needs money, expertise, and careful planning.” he said.
The GOC continued “So it is beyond the people we arrest. We are following several leads, and we are hoping that those leads will take us to those who are actually responsible.
“This activity is illegal, criminal, and dirty. We call on people to embrace legitimate businesses,” he said.
