Troops of Operation UDOKA have successfully destroyed 14 boats and numerous drums of crude oil recovered from oil bunkerers at Isimini Waterside in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The operation, led by Major General Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, resulted in the arrest of six suspects, who have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for further questioning and prosecution.
Maj. Gen. Dada, accompanied by Brigadier General Olusola Diya, Brigade Commander of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, disclosed to journalists at the site that the troops had laid siege on the bunkerers for five days based on intelligence reports before apprehending them.
“Eight of the seized boats were large Cotonou boats, while the rest were smaller vessels,” said Maj. Gen. Dada.
He explained that the bunkerers used their equipment to breach oil pipelines, steal crude oil, refine some of it, and transport the rest to the high seas for sale at low prices to the detriment of the country.
The GOC also revealed that the leader of the cartel had been identified but was currently on the run.
He emphasized the military’s commitment to ensuring no economic saboteur is allowed to operate within the jurisdiction of Operation UDOKA.
“The proceeds from these illicit activities are often used to finance terrorism,” Maj. Gen. Dada warned.
He urged those involved in oil bunkering to cease their activities or face severe consequences from the military.
“This is just the beginning of the operation. We will leave no stone unturned.
Anyone found culpable will be dealt with. It’s high time they left this joint operation area because we won’t spare them.
Nobody should be involved in any form of economic sabotage within the Operation UDOKA joint operation area,” he stated.
Maj. Gen. Dada affirmed the military’s dedication to preventing economic sabotage, highlighting the strategic importance of protecting crude oil resources, which are vital to the country’s economy.
“Based on intelligence, we waited here for five days until they attempted to extract crude oil from the pipeline. We then moved in and recovered 14 boats, some filled with crude oil,” he added.
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