Youths under the aegis of Crusaders against Oil Theft (COT) have destroyed 10,000 metric tons of stolen crude oil in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The youths, who decried the increasing rate of oil theft and proliferation of illegal refineries in the area, were led by their Coordinator, “General” Felix Timilaemi.
It was gathered that the youths set ablaze two illegal refineries operated in the creeks.
Timilaemi, an ex-militant leader, said COT fighters seized the illegal refineries at night and destroyed tanks containing over 10,000 tons of crude oil.
He said he led 29 members of his group for the operation, adding that the operators of the illegal refineries tried in vain to resist the raid.
“We overran the illegal refineries at night. It was a planned operation. We also destroyed four local boats, four pumping machines and other equipment worth millions of Naira used by oil thieves.
“When the illegal refinery operators saw us, they tried to resist our action but when they discovered that we were more in number, they abandoned their camps.”
He said the destroyed illegal refinery camps were located in Azagbene and Egbemangalabiri.
Timilaemi said his resolve to confront oil theft had pitted him against operators of the illegal business.
He expressed his commitment to the crusade, despite threats to his life.
“There have been threats to my life. It is expected because when you begin to destroy people’s misplaced and illegal means of livelihood, you expect them to react,”the ex-militant said.
He asked the government to partner with his group, explaining that they have the local intelligence to eradicate economic sabotage.
Timilaemi said with government’s backing, his group would expand their operations to other states.
He reiterated the need for the government to provide security for members of his group.
He said: “Government should partner with us to enable us fight this cause to the end. We need government’s backing to stop this sabotage. I am calling on oil communities and companies to partner with us.
“We know the people and their locations and we have the capacity to stop them. Our next line of action is to check the ships coming into the creeks. We are going to burn anything related to oil theft.
“Our boys are on patrol 24 hours. We patrol the sea but most times you won’t know that we are there. So, we are calling on the government to support this cause because if nothing is done, this thing can sink our economy.”
SOURCE; THE NATION
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/youths-destroy-10000-tons-crude-illegal-refineries/
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