The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a massive illegal
oil bunkering site located one kilometre along the Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA) in Port Harcourt. Stevenson Olabanji,
a Brigadier General and Commander of 2 Brigade of the
Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, told the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that
thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel were discovered
at the site.
He said that army operatives were immediately deployed to
the site at Makoba Beach, which is two kms away from the
Rivers State Government House.
"About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got an information that
some illegal bunkering activities were going on along
Makoba Beach. On arrival, our personnel discovered illegal
activities which involved bunkering of illegally refined
petroleum products and lifting of diesel to local boats. At
the site, we found more than 5,000 drums loaded with
illegally refined diesel; four tanker trucks containing 132,000
litres of diesel combined, and a barge with 165,000 litres of
stolen diesel.
This discovery is unprecedented because since we started
our operations 10 days ago, this is about the biggest that
we have uncovered."he said
Mr. Olabanji said that additional 150 drums, loaded with
about 3,150 litres of diesel, were also discovered in 21
Cotonou boats. He said 13 suspects were arrested at the
scene of the illegal activity. He said the illegal bunkering
dump had not yet been set ablaze, in line with the Joint
Task Force mandate, because of its closeness to residential
buildings and the NPA.
"Our mandate requires us to destroy the site in situ, but we
cannot do this because it will degrade the environment and
affect residents since it is situated in the heart of Port
Harcourt. Our plan is to move them to a safe location for
destruction."
The commander said that preliminary investigation had
already begun to unravel sponsors of the activity, adding
that the 13 suspects would be handed over to the relevant
authorities for further investigation and prosecution. Mr.
Olabanji, while urging oil thieves to desist from the
sabotage of oil and gas installations, assured Nigerians that
the JTF would not rest until it rids the state of illegal
bunkering activities.
"Let it be known that the army will not and will never
tolerate illegal bunkering in our area of responsibility," he
assured. Mr. Olabanji called on the public to provide the
JTF with timely information which could lead to the arrest
of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.
(NAN)
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