Operatives of a private pipeline surveillance contractor to the NPDC/Seplat Joint Venture, Abicity Security, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army stationed at Ubagboro community along the Amokpe Escravos Pipeline in the creeks of Delta State have intercepted boats loaded with illegal crude oil.

PUNCH Metro gathered that a serious manhunt by the security operatives, following intelligence gathered on the illegal operation of the oil bunkerers, led to the interception of the locally made boats, popularly called ‘Cotonou Boats’ laden with the stolen crude oil, opposite the Koko River, on Monday evening.

The security men reportedly intercepted the suspected oil bunkerers just as they moved out of the location where the illegal operation was carried out, around Kilometre 42, in Amokpe Escravos Pipeline.

Our correspondent gathered that the team in the crude-laden boats, on sighting the patrolling security men, fled into the creeks, abandoning their contrabands.

It was further gathered that the military officials later set ablaze the arrested crude-laden boats.

Speaking with journalists on the interception, one of the operatives of Abicity Security, Agbonekuya Agbonekuya, affirmed the unwavering resolve of the private security firm to partner with the government in the fight against crude oil theft and oil pipeline vandalism in their mandate areas in the Niger Delta region in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies in the country.

He assured the NPDC/Seplat JV that with continuous collaboration and support, the era of brazen oil theft in the country was coming to an end. (Punch)