By Gloria Afajagbe
Operatives of a private pipeline surveillance contractor to the NPDC/Splat Joint Venture, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army stationed at Ubagboro community along Amokpe Escravos Pipeline in Delta State have intercepted boats loaded with stolen crude oil.
According to report, a serious manhunt by the security operatives, following intelligence gathered on the illegal operation of the oil bunkerers, led to the interception of the locally made boats, popularly called ‘Cotonou Boats’.
The security men reportedly intercepted the suspected oil bunkerers just as they moved out of the location where the illegal operation was carried out, around Kilometre 42, in Amokpe Escravos Pipeline.
The suspects in the crude-laden boats, on sighting the patrolling security men, fled into the creeks, abandoning their contraband.
It was further gathered that the military officials later set ablaze the arrested crude-laden boats.
Speaking with journalists, a security personnel, Agbonekuya Agbonekuya, urged private security firms to partner with the government in the fight against crude oil theft and oil pipeline vandalism in its mandate areas in the Niger Delta region, in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies in the country.
