THE Nigerian Army said troops of 343 Artillery Regiment conducting anti-oil theft operations on Monday, August 28, 2023, cracked down on an oil thieves’ camp in Obokofia community in Imo State.
A statement by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed that the vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp.
According to him, the troops recovered two pumping machines, three power generators, one hose, and a toolbox used for hacking into oil pipelines.
“In a similar operation, also conducted on August 28, 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,” he said.
The statement disclosed further that troops on August 29 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.
Also intercepted were two vehicles loaded with 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO within the same general area.
The statement appealed to members of the public to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance the ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.
