By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army have intercepted suspected criminals siphoning diesel from heavy-duty equipment belonging to Sterling Petroleum and Fertilizer Limited in Ukpe Ete, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The operation followed credible intelligence received by the troops regarding the activities of criminal elements illegally siphoning diesel from the company’s equipment. Acting on the information, soldiers conducted a follow-up operation which led to the arrest of a driver conveying the stolen petroleum products.
In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations at Headquarters 2 Brigade, Captain Lawal Muhammad, troops were conveying the suspect and recovered exhibits back to the company for further interrogation when youths from the community barricaded the road in an attempt to free the suspect and the confiscated products.
According to the statement, the youths began hurling bottles and stones at the troops who were carrying out their lawful duties. Despite attempts by the soldiers to calm the situation and prevent escalation, the crowd reportedly became increasingly violent.
Troops subsequently fired warning shots in a bid to disperse the irate youths and restore normalcy, but the action did not immediately quell the unrest. During the confrontation, the alleged ringleader of the group was identified and shot in the leg. He was later evacuated to a hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
The statement further revealed that the situation deteriorated as some of the youths turned unruly, vandalizing private vehicles, harassing commuters, and attacking trucks belonging to Sterling Petroleum and Fertilizer Limited operating along the road.
Reinforcements were later deployed from the Brigade Headquarters, after which troops carried out further security operations in the area and successfully dispersed the crowd.
During the follow-up operations, security personnel discovered an unidentified corpse with a coffin placed beside the body. The remains were immediately evacuated to a mortuary by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who were working alongside troops of the 2 Brigade.
Security forces are currently maintaining a strong presence in the area to ensure the safety of the company’s facilities and restore calm.
The Brigade expressed appreciation to members of the public for their cooperation and reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens in Akwa Ibom State. Authorities also urged residents to continue providing credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies as investigations into the incident continue.
