The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a massive illegal oil
bunkering site located one kilometre along the Nigerian Ports
Authority in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Brigadier General Stevenson Olabanji, the Commander of 2 Brigade of
the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, told the News Agency of Nigeria on
Wednesday in Port Harcourt that thousands of litres of illegally
refined diesel were discovered at the site.
Olabanji said Army operatives were immediately deployed to the site at
Makoba Beach, which is two kilometres away from the Rivers State
Government House.
He said: “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.”
Olabanji said 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.
He said: “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 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.
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 said.
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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