The
diesel valued at over N3.45 million was believed to have been siphoned
from the pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
Maj.-Gen.
Alani Okunlola, the Commander of Operation Pulo Shield, formerly known
as the Joint Task Force, said two suspected oil thieves were arrested at
the bunker site, while several equipment used by the operators of
illegal bunkering were seized during the raid.
“On Sept. 23, troops of Sector 2 of OPS of 2 Brigade Army Port Harcourt stormed Tamunotonye-Ama community and discovered a very large bunkering site which operates illegally.“Troops during the raid discovered and seized eight large metal badges laden with stolen Automated Gas Oil (AGO), commonly referred to as diesel, while another 23 empty barges were also seized.“Two of the eight metal badges have estimated capacity of seven tanker trucks each.”
According
to him other items found at the site were 44 large plastic tanks, 22
illegal pumping dumps, 18 pumping machines, three speedboats, two
outboard engines and a lengthy hose.
He said 19 storage tanks filled with stolen crude oil were also seized from the site during the operation.
“Two suspects in our custody will be interrogated, while the barges have been towed to Ogoloma Jetty in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers,” he said.
He said investigation to find out how they were able to operate in the area for so long without being spotted is underway.
Source: The Punch
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