Troops Destroy Illegal Refinery In Rivers, Avert Clash Between Beyelsa Farmers And Herdsmen

BEVERLY HILLS, March 22, (THEWILL) – Troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have conducted an anti-bunkering patrol to some suspected locations where bunkering activities were being perpetrated by criminals and vandals in Rivers State.

The troops, in continuation of its uptempo operations to checkmate the trend of crude oil theft, illegal  oil bunkering, illegal refineries and other acts of criminality across its area of responsibility, raided one of such locations at Buguma where a local refinery was found and destroyed.

The Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement that the soldiers also found tanks containing crude oil and four Cotonou boats that contained illegally refined crude oil products in the general area.

The statement continued, “Similarly, the troops deployed at Oron conducted patrol within the terminal in Mbo Local Government Area to checkmate criminals, cultists and sea pirates’ activities while troops deployed along Eket-Onna road equally conducted patrol although no arrest was made.”

On the prevention of what could have been another round of farmers and herdsmen clash, Usman stated that following an intelligence report on the activities of herdsmen at Akenfa 1, 2 and 3 communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, troops carried out aggressive patrol to the general area.

The statement disclosed that, “during the patrol, the locals reported that some herdsmen while grazing along the area, allowed their cattle to eat up cassava from their farmland.

“The patrol ensured that the matter was reported to the police where  it is being addressed toward arriving at an amicable resolution between the parties involved.

“The troops in conjunction with other security agencies have continued to patrol and track down criminals within Azikoro and Okada communities in Bayelsa State.”