The Nigerian Army has intercepted a truck conveying over 16,000 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel.
The army said the truck was seized along Okporowo Road, in Ahoada East Council of Rivers State on 16 July. Briefing journalists on the incident at the 16 Division, Army Headquarters, in Port Harcourt, the Commander of 6 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Eddie Effiong, said the seized illegal product, according to current market prices, is worth N14.4 million.
Effiong also disclosed that oil bunkerers have devised new ways of carrying out their illegal activities, saying that the army will continue to be relentless in the fight against oil theft and other forms of criminality in collaboration with other security agencies.
He said: “We called you today to take a look at another dimension of illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta. Normally, illegal bunkering products are conveyed in tankers, and just a few days ago, we saw this container truck, which is supposed to carry goods.
“But, based on credible information, an ambush was laid and this truck was held. On opening it, what we saw inside was 80 drums of illegally refined AGO. So, it was apprehended and moved down here.
“This is just to show the extent people can go to commit crimes. Ordinarily, if this was in a tanker, they would be apprehended easily. But seeing this, you might think they are carrying goods or frozen items.
“But we just want them to understand that as they are devising new methods, we are equally following them up and apprehending them.”
Effiong, who is also the Commander of Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe Military Joint Task Force, said no arrest was made as occupants of the vehicle ran into the bush, abandoning their truck on sighting the military checkpoint.
