Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army have neutralized two armed vandals, recovered two AK 47 rifles and arrested 18 suspected oil thieves.
The troops also destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites and 7 boats, discovered 8 illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.
This is according to details on the Army’s social media platform.
The Army said the successes followed credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalize Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area (LGA)
It said the troops on getting to the scene were engaged by the criminal elements in a firefight.
” In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralised 2 of the criminals, recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 8 magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
“At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated 4 illegal refining sites, and 2 wooden boats and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products. Likewise at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted 2 wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, destroyed one oven and receiver each within the swampy area of Odagba village” it said
” Along the Ndoni Obiafu road, troops sighted suspected oil thieves who fled and abandoned 2 vehicles, a KIA with Reg No DG 991 PHC Rivers and a Toyota Avalon with Reg No GWB 972 HM Abia with 4 motorcycles. Further surveillance revealed the vehicles were loaded with over 28 sacks suspected to be illegally refined products estimated to be over 1,700 litres of stolen products,” the statement further added.