Army uncovers illegal oil bunkering site in Lagos

The Nigerian Army has uncovered an illegal oil bunkering depot in Oregun, Ikeja area of Lagos , where siphoned crude oil  is refined and transported to different filling stations within the South West .

Five persons were  arrested , while four tankers loaded with the refined products  and five ford vans, were recovered .

Briefing journalists on the arrest, the Operation Officer, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Major Tarela Emuren, disclosed that the arrest and recovery were made by troops of Operation AWATSE, after an eight hour raid operation at the site, last Wednesday.

He disclosed that “The scale of economic sabotages orchestrated by this unscrupulous act is estimated to be worth about N300 million. Regrettably, these activities have been ongoing for quite some time without the knowledge of relevant government agencies.

“The five   Ford vans have been specially modified, without due recourse to safety, to accommodate locally fabricated tanks for storage of stolen petroleum products. Additionally, four  tankers were also recovered at the illegal depot laden with suspected  stolen products as well as several drums, hoses and other equipment used by these economic saboteurs.

“Beside the economic loss occasioned by the activities of these criminals, the safety concern is also worrisome. The location constitutes serious dangers to other law-abiding residents within the community while their activities result in environmental degradation, pollution and heighten the risk of fire outbreak. Also, the crude modification of vehicles used in conveying these highly inflammable products constitute even greater dangers to other unsuspecting road users in Lagos and other places the products may be transported to.

Reiterating the commitment of Op AWATSE to curbing  oil related criminal activities within the South West Geo-Political Zone, Major Emuren called on Nigerians  to join  the fight against unpatriotic citizens , by availing  intelligence or information on suspicious activities observed within their  localities to security agencies , for necessary action .

He also warned  those still engaged in the  unwholesome practice to desist forthwith, stating that Op AWATSE would not rest on its oars  till they  were brought to book.

The suspects and recovered exhibits were handed over to officials of the Nigeria Security and civil Defense Corps, NSCDC (Vanguard)