Troops, NSCDC operatives swoop on oil thieves’ camps in Delta

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), cracked down on oil thieves’ camps in Owahwa Creek in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the troops discovered 12 active illegal refining sites, 60 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 reservoirs, six wooden boats laden with stolen crude, and 470 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camps.

The troops also intercepted a vehicle conveying 25 polythene bags of suspected illegally refined AGO in Ogbodu community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to the statement: “In a similar operation, also conducted on September 2, 2023, troops of 3 Battalion intercepted two wooden boats ladened with stolen crude in Tsekelewu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.”

The statement added that the troops arrested two suspects in connection with the crime, adding that both suspects and the illegal products have been handed over to NSCDC personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for further action.

Nwachukwu advised members of the public to always report suspected acts of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country.