Nigeria’s Army has halted the operation of illegal refineries in Imo and Delta and confirmed seizure of several litres of illegally refined Petroleum products.
A statement by the Army signed by the Director for Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Wednesday in Abuja 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.
The vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp.
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.”