The Nigerian Army discovered a lot of illegal mining sites in Obeaku in Ukwa West Local Government Area on Monday night as part of their ongoing campaign against illegal oil bunkering in Abia State. They arrested 17 people who are the major suspects of being involved in the illicit activities.
This comes on top of the seven more suspects that the military detained on Friday of last week in the Isimmiri Waterside in the state’s Ukwa West Local Government Area.
Speaking at the location of over 15 illegal refineries, Major General Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding of the 82nd Division alongside Brigadier General Olusola Diya, the Commander of the 14th Brigade, the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, and other high ranked military officials from the Division. “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,” the major general said.
“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 woman, claimed she does not know any of the 16 other suspects who had been arrested with her and that she was only selling cellophane materials when she was apprehended. She claimed to sell to persons from Aba.
One of the main materials found at the site of the illicit oil refinery industry in the area was seen to be cellophane.
