.…as Customs set auction seized petrol at N400 per litre
The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, deactivated 21 boats used for the crime and recover over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the ongoing anti bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
A statement issued in Port Harcourt at the weekend by the Division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said eight suspects were arrested in the operations carried out from 23-29 December 2024.
Lt. Col. Jonah said following a tip-off on illegal activities around Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, troops responded effectively leading to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.
“At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower. Also, an illegal refining site, one big pot and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately.
“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted in the area in the process of loading crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.
“Relatedly, around Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, four fibre and three wooden boats were intercepted respectively as well as about 2,000 litres of stolen crude handled. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks loaded with over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.
“While at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA, one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat and over 3,500 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similarly, at the fringes of Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.
“In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen fuel confiscated. Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowlines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.
“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.
“In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka. Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. Preliminary investigation revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.
“In Delta State, various kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations were conducted . These operations have effectively denied criminal elements freedom of action in the area, the statement pointed out.”
The statement added that the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged troops to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area in order to create an enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive in the region
Customs to auction seized petrol at N400 per litre
In another development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its will auction 15,325 litres of seized premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, to ease transportation during the festive period.
Hussein Ejibunu, national coordinator of the service’s operation whirlwind, made the announcement on Saturday at a press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos state.
Ejibunu said the product, valued at N27.5 million, was seized during operations in Lagos and Ogun states.
He said Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of customs, has directed that the products be auctioned at the rate of N10,000 per 25 litres.
The coordinator further said a court condemnation order and all legal processes have been finalised by the office of the legal adviser to aid the auctioning.
“This operation has been on since 27 May 2024 and has yielded positive results, as the CGC has urged the operatives to continue sustaining the tempo until the activities of these economic saboteurs are stamped out of this country,” Ejibunu said.
“On this note, the CGC has directed Auctions of the seized product to members of the public at the rate of N10,000 per 25 litres. This will ease the transportation hardship during this festive period.”
