The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, says its operatives have neutralised two armed vandals involved in illegal oil bunkering during a gun duel and recovered two AK-47 rifles while 18 suspects were arrested across various states in the Niger Delta region.

Also, the Army said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refining sites, seven boats, uncovered eight illegal connection points and impounded over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

The acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lit-Col. Jonah Danjuma disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Sunday.

Danjuma said the feat followed the Army?s consolidation on the ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations, saying it had recorded enormous successes in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

The statement read, ?In the latest feat recorded, troops neutralised two armed vandals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, destroyed 13 active illegal refining sites, seven boats, discovered 8 illegal connection points and confiscated over 60,000 litres of stolen products across the region.

?Following credible intelligence on a criminal attempt to vandalise the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipeline, traversing Upatabo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene.

?On getting to the scene, the criminal elements engaged troops in a firefight. In the gun duel that ensued, troops neutralised two of the criminals, recovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, while others fled in disarray. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

?At Bille in Degema LGA, troops deactivated four illegal refining sites, two wooden boats and handled over 6,000 litres of stolen products. Likewise at Odagba village, at the fringes of Imo River, troops intercepted two wooden boats with over 5,000 litres of stolen products, destroyed one oven and received each within the swampy area of Odagba village,? he said.

The statement further noted that, ?In Akwa Ibom, troops acting on credible intelligence intercepted six drums of premium motor spirit estimated to be 1,500 litres at Ibaka waterside in Mbo LGA.

?The products were being primed for onward smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways. All the persons arrested have been handed over to the prosecuting agency, while products confiscated are handled appropriately in compliance with subsisting mandates in the region.?

The division?s General Officer Commanding, Maj-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam, while commending troops for the successes recorded, reassured all that the division would continue to sustain ongoing operations across the NigerDeltaregion. (The PUNCH)