Army warns tanker drivers to stop conveying stolen petroleum products 

Nigerian Army has warned tanker drivers, involved in transportation of stolen petroleum products to stop forthwith. Army also called on stakeholders for concerted to end the menace of illegal oil-bunkering in the Niger Delta region. The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, made the call at a sensitization workshop on the implications of the commercial use of illegally refined oil products organised by the 6 Division Garrison Command at the Port Harcourt Barracks. Emekah stated that the illicit activity on crude oil posses a grave danger to the nation’s economy and threatens national security.
He said the effects of the activities of illegal refiners are far reaching as virtually everyone suffers from it either directly or indirectly, stating that there is the need for stakeholders to develop a mechanism to effectively combat the menace and create a more sustainable and secured future for the country. Emekah, who was represented by Brigadier-General Effiong Nse, the Commander, 106 Division Equipment Support, urged communities in the region to be vigilant and report suspected cases of illegal bunkering to the security agencies. He said: “There is need for a collective action, collaboration and cooperation amongst government agencies, private operators and local communities to combat this menace. “It on this premise that I most sincerely seek your collective co-operation as ambassadors of change that we put heads together to raise awareness about the consequences of illegal oil bunkering and to promote a culture of patriotism compliance.
“Let us support our government agencies and other stakeholders as they work assiduously to combat this illicit trade”. Emekah enjoined companies to stop patronising illegal refiners and also truck drivers to desist from lifting products from bunkerers. He said: “Let us also advise our truck drivers to desist from colluding with criminals to convey the illicit products. Let us educate our managers to stop patronising these merchants, let us encourage our communities to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities relating to oil bunkering.” Meanwhile, the Commander, 6 Division Brigade Command, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, in who address earlier, stated that the country has lost millions of dollars due to the activities of illegal refiners. Ahmed, who was represented at the event by Lt. Col. Orobosa Igheghe, said the commercial use of illegally refined products poses a serious threat to the nation’s environment, public health safety and contamination of the ecosystem. He said “As we dive into this activity, I urge you all to consider the roles you can play in preventing the commercial use of illegal oil-bunkering in order to promote a safer and more sustainable future for our nation.”