By Augustine Osayande
Troops of 16 Brigade on 9th November discovered and destroyed 6 illegal oil bunkering sites at KM 45 Bille, Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State. In similar operations a crack patrol team of Troops of 2 Brigade under 6 Division on 8th November located and destroyed illegally refined products Dump Site within Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State.
According to Deputy Director Army Public Relations Col. Aminu Iliyasu 4 large reservoirs containing stolen crude oil and 7 Cotonou boats used in the illicit act were also destroyed in Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State while a total of 500 drums and 2 surface tanks were destroyed in Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State.
“Further patrols within Awonikiri in Bille Degema LGA of Rivers State conducted on 10th November 2018 by the troops led to the discovery of a hideout for militants/sea pirates. Items recovered in the camp include: 2 gas cookers, a DSTV Dish and 2 Samsung Plasma Television set, a battery charger, 2 generating sets, 2 ladders, a Sesco mobile Handset, 24 rounds of 9 mm calibre bullets, a pair of camouflage uniform, a camouflage face cap and a camouflage T-Shirt.
“In continuation of Operation CROCODILE SMILE III in 6 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR), troops of the Division have intensified patrols both on land and in the creeks as well as the waterways to deny criminal elements freedom of action. In one of such patrols conducted by troops of 2 Brigade under 6 Division, a crack patrol team of the Brigade on 8th November 2018 located and destroyed illegally refined products Dump Site within Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State. A total of 500 drums and 2 surface tanks were destroyed in the course of the operation” Iliyasu said.
Meanwhile, the troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (JTF OPDS) also discovered and destroyed 3 illegal refining camps with 4 large dug out pits and 12 surface tanks in Yokri near Funkoro Forest of Burutu Local Government Areas Delta State
Iliyasu added that the troops also discovered 3 illegal refining sites at Obodo Asian, Ogbesedua and Ogbokoko all in Warri South Local Government Areas which were hitherto destroyed in previous operations but being reactivated currently. “The troops successfully destroyed all the 3 illegal refining camps including 10 cooking tanks, 2 Cotonou boats and 2 pumping machines. 2 suspects, Oghenemaga Egubare and Maxwell Umar were also arrested at the illegal oil bunkering camp vicinity and handed over to sister security agency for investigation and possible prosecution,” Iliyasu said.
The Deputy Director Army Public Relations further revealed that troops of 19 Battalion under Sector 1 JTF OPDS also conducted an Educational Outreach at Ethiopia Model Primary School and Malachi Primary School Sapele where free Exercise Books were distributed to the pupils.
Iliyasu said activities of Operation CROCODILE SMILE III in 6 Division AOR continue with day and night patrols by troops of the Division with the aim of curtailing all criminal activities within the Niger Delta region and presenting a genuine platform for the development of the region.
