Delta State | Troops seize illegal bunkering equipment

Troops of Sector 1, from Burutu LGA of Delta State, known as ‘Operation Delta Safe’ have seized some illegal bunkering equipment along Chanomi North bank pipeline of the area. According to Channels, the seizure was made during operations within the area by the troops where items such as; welding machine, two inserted valves, two shovels, two filing machines, two packets of electrolyte, one hose, bolts, nuts of various sizes and a pumping machine, were recovered from the perpetrators.

The troops while on patrol along the Rumuekpe area, also discovered militants and kidnappers camp. A statement by the 'Operation Delta Safe' confirmed that operations of the troops within the Niger Delta region saw to the dismantling of the camp. Meanwhile, the troops handed over to Ughelli area Command, two suspects, Julius Egorume and Ese Ohoro, who were arrested earlier in connection with act of vandalism at Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

In another location in Ugbemu Village along Oghara Benin road in Ethiope West LGA of the state, troops also intercepted a tipper with registration number Akwa Ibom XA 240 KTD carrying 200 litres locally constructed tanks filled with product suspected to be illegally refined diesel. Three suspects were arrested alongside the tipper and products and they are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.

A patrol team at Adeje community along Sapele-Warri, intercepted a Volkswagen car with registration number Anambra AH 615 ATN carrying 27 Containers of 25 litre Jerry cans filled with product suspected to be illegally refilled Dual Purpose Kerosene. Suspect, vehicle and product are also undergoing preliminary investigation.

Another patrol team intercepted a suspected 15,000 litre tanker truck with registration number Lagos XU 140 BDG loaded with product suspected to be illegally refined diesel and arrested suspects in connection with the truck.

In Warri, troops in conjunction with the Police, embarked on a patrol to Ehnehre Kolokolo Community,and they arrested 36 hoodlums who normally terrorize the area and they handed them over to the Police for further screening.

However, following intelligence report on possession of illegal firearms by some youths in Onugbo Community, Warri South LGA, ‘Cordon and Search Operations’ were launched, with six suspects arrested in possession of one pump action gun, one dane gun, 12 live cartridge and two cutlasses. Meanwhile, ‘Operation Delta Safe’ troops deployed at Uti in Uvwie LGA have also intercepted a gang of armed robbers in an ash coloured Toyota Camry car. The suspects were alleged to have escaped arrest and were chased by a Police patrol team and on sighting the troops; they jumped out of the vehicle and fled.

However, one suspect was shot dead on the spot. One gun, two locally made pistols, nine live cartridges and a vehicle were recovered and handed over to the Police.

[Channels TV]