Troops of the Nigerian army have cracked down on an illegal oil camp belonging to suspected crude oil thieves in Obokofia, a community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, South-east Nigeria.
The army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said the operation was carried out by troops of 33 Artillery Regiment on Monday as part of their anti-oil theft operations in the country.
“In the crackdown, the vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp, he said”.
“The troops also recovered two Pumping machines, three power generators, one hose and a toolbox used for hacking into oil pipelines.
The army spokesperson said, in response to a tip off on Tuesday, troops intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the creeks of Egbema West in the same Ohaji/Egbema Council Area.
“In a similar operation, also conducted on August 28, 2023, troops of 3 Battalion clamped down on an active illegal oil refining site containing three cooking ovens and six reservoirs at Enokora Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Acting on credible information, troops conducting anti-oil theft operations, on August 29, 2023, intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the creeks of Egbema West in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
“The vigilant troops equally intercepted two vehicles loaded with 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO within the same council area,” he said.
