Saturday, October 31, 2026

Troops nab suspect in anti-illegal bunkering operation

Lawal Muhammad, who said the interception occurred during a routine anti-illegal oil bunkering operation.

• July 28, 2026

Troops of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sector 4, Operation DELTA SAFE, have intercepted a vehicle conveying suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) along the Onna-Etinan Road in Akwa Ibom State.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the acting spokesman for the operation, Lawal Muhammad, who said the interception occurred during a routine anti-illegal oil bunkering operation.

“The operation, conducted at about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, 26 July 2026, followed credible surveillance of a suspected oil bunkerer driving an Infiniti Jeep with registration number EPE 937 EY,” he noted. 

He said that upon sighting the troops, the suspect attempted to flee but was pursued, adding that the suspect eventually abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the surrounding bush.

“A search of the vehicle revealed 40 nylon bags containing approximately 1,200 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, with an estimated market value of two million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand naira (₦2,256,000) only,” Mr Muhammad said.

He added that the recovered products and vehicle had been secured and handled in line with the mandate of Operation DELTA SAFE.

He stated, “The operation was successfully concluded without incident. Photographs of the recovered vehicle and suspected illegally refined AGO are attached.”

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