Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Fourteen boats and several drums of crude oil recovered from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, were Friday night destroyed by the Nigerian Army.
The destruction of the boats was supervised by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Major Gen. H. T Dada, who personally led the operation.
Briefing newsmen before setting ablaze the confiscated equipment, the GOC who was flanked by the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brig. Gen. Olusola Diya, gave quit notice to oil bunkerers and economic saboteurs in Abia and other states under the 82 Div Command.
He said that troops, acting on intelligence, laid ambush for the bunkerers for five days before eventuality apprehending them.
According to him, six suspects have been arrested, interrogated and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, for further questions and prosecution.
He said that the bunkerers steal crude oil, some of which they refine, and some they take to the high sea and sell at ridiculous prices to the enemies of the country.
Major Gen. Dada who said that the leader of the cartel was on the run, vowed to deal ruthlessly with economic saboteurs operating in the states under the Division.
The GOC who said the bunkerers use the proceeds of the stolen crude to finance terrorism, vowed to end their illicit operations.
“This is just the beginning of the operation and we will make sure no stone is left unturned. Anybody found culpable will be dealt with. It’s high time they left this our joint operation area because we won’t spare them. Nobody should be involved in any form of economic sabotage within Operation UDOKA joint Operation area.
“We are here to ensure that no form of economic sabotage occurs in our joint operational area. We have been here conducting operations against economic saboteurs trying to take crude oil which is the mainstay of our economy.
“Based on intelligence, we waited for them here for five days until yesterday (Thursday) when they came to get crude oil from the pipeline, then we moved in and recovered 14 boats, some with crude oil.”
He further said that on sensing danger, the bunkerers sank some of the boats laden with crude oil before escaping.
“They sank some of the boats and that is why, if you look very well, you will see oil floating there on the water. But any moment from now, we are going to destroy the boats in line with the standing operational procedure.
“We are going to get to the root of the matter. We know the person in charge of this location and he is on the run but definitely, we will get him.
“The Nigerian Army will not in any way tolerate any form of sabotage to the economy of this country. They are more of a cartel, and a lot of scrupulous people are actually involved.
“They take the stolen oil to the high sea and sell to the enemies of the country at ridiculous prices; some they refine into products which are substandard and cause damages to vehicles.”
The GOG warned oil bunkerers operating in the state to quit or meet their Waterloo, as criminals will not be allowed any breeding ground in states covered by Operation UDOKA.
