Troops Intercept 19,200 Litres of Illegally Refined Diesel in Rivers

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, have intercepted a boat laden with 19,200 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, in Rivers State.

Security sources said the interception occurred at about 10:20 a.m. on June 10 at Agum-Bukuma in Degema Local Government Area of the state during an anti-illegal bunkering operation.

According to the sources, the operation was conducted by troops of Headquarters Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe, in conjunction with personnel of Tantita Security Services as part of ongoing efforts to curb crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta region.

The sources disclosed that the security team intercepted a boat carrying approximately 19,200 litres of refined AGO suspected to have been illegally produced.

No contact was made with the operators of the boat as the suspected bunkerers fled the area before the arrival of security personnel.

The intercepted boat and its contents were subsequently handled in accordance with the operational directives of Operation Delta Safe.

The military has continued to intensify operations against illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and other economic sabotage activities across the Niger Delta to safeguard the nation’s critical oil and gas infrastructure.