The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has paid an operational visit to the Imo River stretch, to have an on the spot assessment of the illegalities going on in that corridor.
The visit, which was conducted on the 15 February 2025, saw the GOC traversed through the waterways and deep into the adjoining creeks and rivulets.
Major General Emekah visited illegal bunkering havens. These places were known for their notoriety in illegal bunkering activities.
During the visit, the GOC ordered all life supporting structures and several illegal refining sites be taken out in those identified sites. He enjoined the troops to comb the entire stretch, with the adjoining forests and ensure they destroy all illegal refining sites.
Meanwhile, troops in conjunction with other security agencies, have conducted several operations across the Niger Delta Region (NDR) from 10 – 16 February 2025. The well coordinated operations, led to the arrest of 12 suspected oil thieves, deactivation of 25 illegal refining sites, demobilization of 18 boats used for criminality with over 95,000 litres of stolen crude recovered. This was in addition to other ancillary equipment destroyed at the sites.
In Delta State, troops projected force into Benneth Island general area in Warri South West LGA, where three active illegal refining sites were deactivated, with several holding facilities destroyed and over 6,300 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
This feat was also replicated at Omadino general area in Warri South, where two active illegal refining sites were taken out with a number of holding facilities destroyed as well as over 5,400 litres of illegally refined AGO recovered.
Similarly, other seizures of AGO, were made along Aladja general area in Udu LGA, where troops confiscated illegally refined AGO, stored within the premises of Cp Villa and Kazo Hotels respectfully. Four suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime.
While, at Eku Community in Ethiope East, following credible intelligence, troops arrested one person in possession of a pump action rifle.
The GOC, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, while commending the troops for the reinvigorated anti illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism posture, charged them to effectively deny economic saboteurs freedom of action. This, he assured will support increase in exploration activities in the NDR.
READ ALSO Anti oil Theft: Troops uncover illegal oil bunkering sites in Owahwa, Tselekewu communities in Delta
, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has paid an operational visit to the Imo River stretch){kind=link}