The Nigerian Army (NA)’s General Officers Commanding (GOCs), 6 and 82 Divisions, Major Generals Jamal Abdussalam and Hassan Dada, respectively, paid an operational visit to the notorious illegal oil bunkering empire located at Okoloma, Oyigbo Local Government Area (LGA) and Umuahale area in Ukwa West LGA in Rivers and Abia States, in an effort to put an end to the regime. The two Divisions are working together to perform clearance operations from Rivers and Abia States at these places, which are on the banks of the Imo River.
The purpose of the visit was to analyse the illegal activities carried out by criminals and economic saboteurs on the spot and to provide troops morale boosts for a job well done. This was in response to the earlier raid on one of the camps last week by troops from 6 Division.
The commanders of 6 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and 14 Brigade, Brigadier General Olusola Diya, took the GOCs on a tour of the heavily forested areas near the Imo River’s edge. They showed them the hub of illegal oil bunkering, which was hidden beneath dense foliage and covered in boilers, cooking pots, and surface reservoirs. Huge amounts of illicit products were stored in carefully dug-in reservoirs with connections spanning several kilometres. The large sums of money invested in undermining the country’s economy suggest that this is an organised crime that has been operating for a while, as evidenced by the crime scene.
In their combined presentation to the troops, the GOCs tasked them with making sure that any sites used for unlawful bunkering are demolished. Additionally, they reiterated the direction from the President and Commander-in-Chief, stating that illicit oil bunkering will not be tolerated and that forces must maintain the operational tempo in order to combat this senseless criminality.
The GOCs warned that the Nigerian economy would suffer greatly if this illegality was permitted to continue. Furthermore, it’s thought that the money made from these illicit activities is utilised to finance more crimes. Consequently, in order to deny the adversaries of the state the freedom of action and see to it that these financing sources are totally shut down.
GOC 6 and 82 Divisions visit sites of illegal bunkering clearance operations and charged Nigerian troops to scale up the tempo. Photo 2 GOC 6 and 82 Divisions visit sites of illegal bunkering clearance operations and charged Nigerian troops to scale up the tempo. Photo 3 GOC 6 and 82 Divisions visit sites of illegal bunkering clearance operations and charged Nigerian troops to scale up the tempo. Photo 4 
GOC 6 and 82 Divisions visit sites of illegal bunkering clearance operations and charged Nigerian troops to scale up the tempo. Photo 5
