Army Raids Illegal Bunkering Site In Rivers, Discovers 2.8m Liters Of Crude

Army Raids Illegal Bunkering Site In Rivers, Discovers 2.8 Million Liters Of Crude

·         As the Commanding Officer Vows To Hunt and arrest Offenders

By faith, kordoo

Officers of the Sixth Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, have uncovered 14 reservoirs containing about 2.8 million liters of crude in an illegal oil bunkering site at a forest in Odagwa Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) Six Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Major-General Jamal Abdussalam, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the scene of the incident, noting that some arrests have been made in connection with the discovery.
“Based on credible intelligence, which led us to this location, we have discovered so many illegalities that are taking place here. We have seen reservoirs that can contain upwards of 200,000 liters.

“We have discovered about 14 of them in the forest. We have discovered about 49 boilers, like this one in this bush, capable of processing and refining crude oil.

“And you have seen a network of pipes and cables running around the whole area. The crude we have discovered in this place is more than the daily crude export in Nigeria, which is very pathetic and very, very sad,” he lamented.
Giving a further breakdown, Abdussalam revealed that each of the 14 reservoirs discovered has a minimum of 200,000 liters, bringing it to over 2.8 million liters of crude stored. This, he noted, is besides the already processed and distributed ones.
Abdussalam, who doubles as the Land Component Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the South-South, Operation Delta Safe, and led the operation into the forest in Odagwa Community, confirmed that some arrests have been made, saying: “However, those that have been arrested are not the major players in the illegal business.

“They are just carriers. They are people who come and carry oil, carry pipes, so they are laborers. The main players in the activity have not been caught, but now that we have found this place, with proper intelligence and investigation, we will get the real perpetrators,” he assured.
Speaking further, he pegged the discovery as part of efforts by the Nigerian Army to ensure that the Federal Government gets what is due to it to improve the economy and ensure the better welfare of Nigerians.
While advising those involved in the illegal activities to repent and venture into a better job, Abdussalam warned that the Army will not relent in chasing perpetrators of the illegal oil activities, as he disclosed that they will contact the relevant authorities to follow up and destroy the site.