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)