A truck conveying over 16,000 litres of illegally-refined Automated Gas Oil, also known as diesel, has been intercepted by the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Ahoada East, Rivers State.
According to The Punch, Commander, 6 Division Garrison, Brig. Gen. Eddie Effiong, said the product, loaded in 80 drums and worth over N14 million, was intercepted on Sunday along Okporowo Road in the Ahoada East local Government Area of Rivers State.
Effiong said the “current market value of the seized product of 16, 000 litres, as we gathered, is about N14.4 million.”
“Normally, illegal bunkering products are conveyed in tankers, and just a few days ago, we saw this container truck that is supposed to carry goods.
“But based on credible information, an ambush was laid, and this truck was held. And on opening it, what we saw inside were 80 drums of illegally refined AGO.
“So, it was apprehended and moved down here. This is just to show the extent to which people can go to commit crimes. Ordinarily, if this was in a tanker, they would have been apprehended easily.
“But seeing this, you might think they are carrying goods or frozen items, and you just allow them to pass.”
Effiong said oil thieves must understand that “as they are devising new methods, we, equally, are going to follow them up and apprehend them.”
“On our part, we will not relent. If they want to devise new means, we will devise our own means to catch them,” he added.
Effiong, who is also the Commander of Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe Military Joint Task Force, said the occupants of the truck took to their heels and abandoned their truck upon sighting the military.
