Attempt to smuggle N537.09m worth of crude oil, diesel – discovered by Army
Troops of Operation Delta Safe along with troops of Operation Octopus Grip in Niger Delta, have foiled the attempts by oil thieves to smuggle 7,805 barrels of crude oil and 2,613 barrels of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, valued at over N537 million as well as 17 pipeline vandals were arrested.
Amogst items discovered and destroyed were several illegal refining sites, 17 wooden boats, 103 storage tanks, 94 ovens and 58 dugout pits and recovered 10 trucks, one generator, one tanker, two vehicles and eight pumping machines.
Yesterday Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-Gen. Musa Danmadami, in briefs to newsmen, in Abuja, aid while the recovered AGO is valued at over N134. 6 million, the recovered crude oil is valued at over N402.4 million.
He disclosed that the operations against oil and economic saboteurs were conducted through patrol, raids, clearance and swamp buggy operations in the creeks, villages, communities and towns in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
He said: “Between September 9 and 13, 2022, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Okpokumu community in Burutu LGA, Delta State and Iduodah community in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State and arrested four suspected armed robbers.
“Items recovered from the suspects include two G3 rifles, one locally made pump action gun, one locally made pistol, three G3 magazine, three AK-47 magazines, 280 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 780 rounds of 7.62mm special, MMG metal links, two boafeng radios.
(Vanguard)
