By Perez Brisibe

UGHELLI—A boat conveying diesel from a local refinery at the Iwerekan area of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, was set ablaze by men of the 222 Battalion, Nigeria Army, Agbarha-Otor, in the state.

The incident, the second in two months, caused tension within and around the area, which is fast becoming a hub for illegal oil bunkering activities.

Nigerian army 

Community sources told Vanguard that a Sienna and Volkswagen, belonging to the oil thieves were also set ablaze by the operatives.

Efforts to speak with the Battalion’s Commanding Office were fruitless, but an operative confirmed the incident.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The burning of the boat and other items used by the operators of the illegal refinery is in line with the mandate of the Operation Safe Delta to protect oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.”