Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have scaled up clearance operations in the creeks, waterways and rivulets aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
While conducting operations at different fronts in conjunction with other security agencies, across the Joint Operations Area (JOA), troops have effectively taken out over 37 illegal refining sites, identified 10 illegal connection points and destroyed 6 wooden boats used for conveying stolen products.
Others included the arrest of 9 suspected oil thieves, 7 vehicles, 8 motorcycles used for the nefarious activities, 4 trucks, several pumping machines as well as confiscation over 221,000 litres illegally refined products.
These was in addition to frustrating the criminals several attempts at establishing new illegal bunkering hubs in the region.
In Rivers State, around Imo River, in the general area of Owaza and Odogwa Creeks, troops confiscated over 15,000 litres of stolen crude in a large wooden boat. Same feat was also recorded at Okoloma and Obuzor Creeks, where troops deactivated 9 active illegal refining sites, destroyed 5 wooden boats, several motorcycles as well as confiscated over 13,000 litres of stolen products.
Also, along road Ebocha Ndoni, a reservoir with over 8,500 litres of stolen products, 116 sacks stocked with over 7,000 stolen products were recovered. Additionally, 10 empty metal drums, 10 metal pipes and one motorcycle were also recovered. Troops, also intercepted one suspect in a Toyota Camry with Reg No KTU 423 EC Lagos with over 2,000 litres of stolen products.
Similarly, along road Ndoni Obiafo, troops intercepted a suspect who fled on sighting troops and abandoned a Toyota Sienna with Reg No Lagos EPE 789 JC conveying stolen products. In the same vein, a Volvo car without Reg No was intercepted with 36 sacks with products estimated to be over 2,000.