In Rivers state, security personnels have detained three alleged oil thieves who specialize in damaging oil equipment, such as wellheads, flow lines, and pipelines, in order to steal crude oil.
The three individuals were allegedly found removing and destroying wellhead installations at Belemaoil facilities located at the Idama oil field in the state’s Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
According to sources gathered by Okay.ng members of the 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army acting on a tip-off based on reliable intelligence apprehended the vandals in the approximate vicinity of OML-55 Field.
Before being captured by the military on general field patrol, the suspects had totally destroyed all of the wellhead’s attachments and were on their way to taking away the stolen stuff.
The vandals escaped into the mangrove when they saw the troops, but the three people who were caught had better luck, according to the source.
The informant, who requested anonymity, reportedly disclosed that before they were caught, the suspects vandalized two further oil wells located within the Idama Oil Field.
Several things, including oil well gear, were reportedly found on the accused when the military apprehended them.
The source stated that the suspects had been given to a higher military authority for additional investigation and eventual prosecution.
Aiteo oilfield saw a similar occurrence where vandals wrecked the wellhead and started an uncontrollable wellhead fire outbreak, causing significant environmental damage and widespread indignation.
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