Troops arrest vandals, recover swamp buggy, tugboat and SPDC pipes vandalized during Niger Delta crackdown

In a decisive move against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region, troops of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army have intensified their operations, leading to the arrest of over 21 individuals involved in illegal oil sourcing.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting deputy director of public affairs for the Army’s 6th Division, these operations, conducted in several states, resulted in the decommissioning of 43 illegal refining sites and the confiscation of more than 120,000 litres of illegally refined products.

In Bayelsa State, a coordinated operation with other security agencies led to the arrest of 12 pipeline vandals in Ojobo community, Ekeremor local authority area.

The suspects were found with a barge carrying a swamp buggy, a tugboat and several vandalized pipes belonging to the Shell Production Development Company (SPDC).

Additionally, troops intercepted a wooden vessel carrying more than 5,500 liters of stolen products and deactivated several illegal refining sites in the area.

Similarly, in Rivers State, troops dismantled five illegal refining sites and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil, including a wooden vessel loaded with 5,000 litres of crude oil near the Cawthorne Channel.

The operations also uncovered hidden vessels, suspected of being used for criminal activities.
In Delta State, an illegal refining site at Ikpemu Creek was decommissioned, where 5,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.

Numerous other illegal sites have been neutralized in the Division’s area of ​​responsibility.

The commander-in-chief of the 6th Division, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, commended the troops for their tireless efforts and urged them to intensify operations against economic saboteurs to ensure the smooth conduct of exploration activities in the region.

He also reiterated his warning to criminals to abandon illegal activities and adopt legitimate means of livelihood.

The arrested vandals will be handed over to the competent prosecutors for further action.

The article Troops arrest vandals, recover vandalized SPDC swamp buggy, tugboat and pipes in Niger Delta crackdown first appeared on TheConclaveNg.