The Nigerian Army has arrested 12 suspected oil thieves for allegedly breaking and syphoning crude oil from a pipeline in Rivers State.
Brig Gen Eddy Effiong, Commander, 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday.
Effiong stated the suspects were apprehended on July 2 and 3, along with an unspecified amount of crude oil stored in paraffin bags, motorcycles, wheelbarrows, and jerrycans.
“The 12 suspects were arrested by our troops while they were syphoning crude oil from the Rumuekpe/Okporowo pipeline near Okoba community in Ahoada East area of Rivers.
“Items recovered from the suspects were an unspecified quantity of crude oil stored in paraffin bags, motorcycles, wheelbarrows, and jerrycans. We are here to parade them and put a face to the oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta,” he said.