Soldiers have destroyed suspected illegally refined petroleum products intercepted around Elechi and Abonnema Wharf axis of Port Harcourt.
Troops of 29 Battalion Tactical Headquarters at Bille also engaged in a shootout with suspected oil thieves Feropkakama bunkering site.
DAILY POST learnt that two soldiers were wounded in the proces.
The fleeing oil thieves abandoned several items, including eight pumping machines and other bunkering tools, as well as fourteen Pump Action cartridges and four empty AK 47 magazines.
These developments were confirmed in a statement by the spokesman of the Six Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu.
According to the statement, “In line with its constitutional mandate, barely 2 months after its formal operationalization, the 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt has stepped up operations to deter various criminal acts being perpetrated within its Area of Responsibility (AOR). These operations include; Anti-Illegal Oil Bunkering, Anti-Kidnapping, Anti Robbery, Anti-Cultism, Anti- Piracy as well as Stop and Search Operations against other sundry crimes being committed against law-abiding and peace loving citizens of the Niger Delta with huge successes recorded so far.
“Most recently on 4 September 2017, troops of 6 Division Garrison, Port Harcourt on routine Anti-Bunkering patrol to Elechi and Abonnema Wharf discovered and destroyed several quantities of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil.
“In a similar operation conducted by troops of 29 Battalion Tactical Headquarters, Bille, Rivers State troops encountered armed illegal bunkerers short of Feropkakama a notorious bunkering site, who on sighting troops opened fire.
“However, the gallant troops repelled the attack and pursued the scampering criminals deep into the creeks with many of them sustaining gun shot wounds.
“Unfortunately, 2 brave soldiers were wounded in action, one of them critically but both are responding positively to treatment at a military facility in Port Harcourt.”
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