Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), conducting clearance operations at Umuedeokwara Community, Odogwa Town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, successfully busted a carefully concealed illegal oil bunkering site.
Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, in a statement issued Thursday said the operation was conducted, following credible intelligence on the activities of criminals in the site.
He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/ Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation DELTA SAFE, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdusalam visited the location to see for himself the magnitude of the criminalities going on in the area.
While speaking to newsmen at the site, the GOC was amazed by the level of criminality at the site.
He said: “We are here to let Nigerians know what is happening here. In fact, even if you use the air, using a helicopter or drone, you won’t be able to see what we saw on the ground,
“We have discovered so many illegalities taking place here. We have seen reservoirs, boilers with a network of pipes and cables, amongst others. The crude oil discovered in the site was unprecedented.
The Division, he said, would ensure that the federal government gets what is due to it to take care of the citizens.
He reiterated that the budget of the nation was dependent on many factors, including crude oil production. Hence, any drop in production affects the economy of the nation.
The GOC revealed that a total of 19 reservoirs, with each containing a minimum of 200,000 liters of crude, translating to over 3,000,000 liters were discovered.
He lamented the level at which individuals get involved in crimes that have huge implications for the national economy.
