BUSTED: Soldiers Expose Big Boys In Bunkering; Seizes 2.3m Litres of Stolen Products

Gallant Troops of Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) of the Nigerian Army have seized 2.3 million litres of stolen petroleum products (diesel) worth N3.45 million from an illegal bunker site in Rivers State.

The petroleum product was siphoned from the pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) with impunity.

Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, the Commander of the operation, formerly known as the Joint Task Force, spoke to newsmen on Sunday at Tamunotonye Ama in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking on those behin the crime, General Okunlola said two suspects were arrested at the bunker site, while several equipment used by the operators of the illegal bunker were seized during the raid.

“On September 23, troops of Sector 2 of OPS of 2 Brigade Army Port Harcourt stormed Tamunotonye-Ama community and discovered a very large bunkering site which operates illegally.

“Troops during the raid discovered and seized eight large metal badges laden with stolen Automated Gas Oil (AGO), commonly referred to as diesel, while another 23 empty barges were also seized.

“Two of the eight metal badges have estimated capacity of seven tanker trucks each,“ he said.

The OPS commander told newsmen that other items found at the site were 44 large plastic tanks, 22 illegal pumping dumps, 18 pumping machines, three speedboats, two outboard engines and a lengthy hose.

He added that 19 storage tanks filled with stolen crude oil were also seized from the site during the operation. The site is located near the Onne Sea Port.

A source told us that the suspects have confessed, soldiers are going after their sponsors.