Troops intercept illegal oil shipment in Rivers

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a speedboat transporting an estimated 1,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Abonnema creeks of Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The operation, carried out at about 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday following credible intelligence, led to the discovery of 25 sacks containing the suspected illicit product.

However, the occupants of the boat fled into the creeks upon sighting the troops, and no arrests were made at the scene.

The recovered items were subsequently handled in line with established operational procedures.

In a related development, a suspect earlier arrested on March 12 in possession of a locally fabricated pistol in Warri metropolis, Delta State, has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.

The handover, which took place on March 18, is to enable further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustained operations targeting illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities across the Niger Delta region.