In their ongoing fight against illegal oil bunkering in Abia State, the Nigerian Army raided illegal mining sites at Obeaku in Ukwa West Local Government Area on Monday evening, arresting 17 suspects involved in the illicit activities.
This is in addition to seven other suspects arrested by the military on Friday last week, at the Isimmiri Waterside, in the same Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the illegal refinery site with over 15 illegal refineries, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General Hassan Dada, who was accompanied by the Commander, 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya, as well as top military brass within the Division said, “We are here in furtherance of the operation that the media was invited about few days ago about illegal oil bunkering that is taking place here in Obeaku which is degrading the environment.
“We just discovered another illegal refinery site in Obeaku in Ukwa West LGA. Behind me is one of the smallest tanks that are being used. We have been destroying others and taking them away so that they will not have access to them. Over 5 million litres, of barrels of crude oil are being siphoned which is not good for the economy of the nation, particularly for the environment.
“The operation is ongoing. Apart from Obuaku, there are still other areas where we are extending our operations to make sure that within the “Operation Udoka” joint operation area, any form of illegal bunkering and illegal refining is not allowed so that our economy can be improved and our environment can be protected. We have arrested an additional thirteen additional suspects. We caught from here. As we move to other sites, we keep arresting them.
“It is a very big challenge and is nothing but economic sabotage. Those found culpable must not be spared by the law”, Dada said and warned the operators of illegal bunkering to put a stop to that, stating, “They must stop this because, at the end of the day, they may spend so many years behind the bar for any illegality they are doing.”
One of the suspects, a lady, said she was only selling cellophane materials when arrested, stating that she sells to people from Aba, claiming that she could not recognise any of the 16 other suspects arrested with her.
Cellophane was seen to be one of the major materials in the illegal oil refinery business in the area.