Troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, in conjunction with operatives of Tantita Security Services, have arrested three suspected illegal bunkerers along the Ughelli-Warri Road in Delta State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the suspects were apprehended at about 5:00 a.m. on May 31 during an operation targeting crude oil theft and related economic sabotage activities in the Niger Delta region.
The sources said the suspects were arrested while conveying a truckload of a product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, along the Ughelli-Warri axis in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
According to the sources, preliminary interrogation of the suspects revealed that one of them claimed the product was purchased from a company in Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was being transported to Edo State for delivery.
“The suspects and the truck conveying the suspected product are currently in military custody pending further investigation,” the source said.
The source added that samples of the seized AGO would be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine its quality and composition, as well as establish whether it originated from illegal refining activities.
Security authorities said the outcome of the laboratory test would guide subsequent actions and possible prosecution of those found culpable.
The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies and private surveillance contractors to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining operations aimed at protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure while warning individuals involved in illegal bunkering activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.
By: Zagazola Makama
