By Aherhoke Okioma
Yenagoa
In what could be considered as a major achievement in the past few days, the Joint Task Force, Operation PULO SHIELD discovered and destroyed metal fabrication camp. The JTF also destroyed illegal distillery camps and arrested suspects.
A statement by the Spokesperson of the JTF, Colonel Mustapha Anka said it is an ongoing effort of the JTF to wipe all form of criminalities in the area.
“The In its determination to wipe out illegal oil bunkering and oil theft in the Niger Delta and in line with the Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation PULO SHIELD’s Zero Tolerance Campaign on oil theft and other oil related crimes, the anti illegal oil bunkering squad of the task force has discovered an illegal Metal Fabrication Camp where illegal oil bunkering tanks and other equipments are being manufactured at Burutu community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State the Fabrication site was destroyed, while illegal bunkering sites closer to the place was also destroyed. No arrest was made as the suspects fled before the arrival of the troops.”
“Troops deployed at Ethiope West and Ologbo in Ikpobe-Okha Local Government Areas of Delta and Edo States while on patrol arrested 5 suspected illegal oil bunkerers one of which is Mr Umuerri Obokporo,a suspect on wanted list for illegal oil bunkering activities in Delta and Edo states. During the operation a total numbers of 201 jerricans containing substances suspected to be stolen crude oil were also intercepted. Both the suspects and the items are in custody of Headquarters of the Sector 1 for preliminary investigation before handing them over to the prosecuting agency.”
The statement further said that: “A 33,000 liters capacity truck loading crude oil from an illegal mounted value of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NNPC) behind Presco Farm at Ologbo community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State has been intercepted by the troops of the JTF.”
“The suspects fled the scene in a Cherokee Jeep on sighting the troops. The Jeep was latter abandoned and was recovered by troops. The tank and the Jeep were set ablaze in line with mandate of the Task Force in Niger Delta. Six Cotonou boats laden with illegally acquired crude oil and Automated Gas Oil Gas were also arrested at different locations of Ugbokodo Tigbeni and Ejere Creeks in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The suspects fled on sighting troops while the boats and its contents were set ablaze.”
In another development the anti illegal bunkering squads of the Sector 2 of the JTF patrolling along Ogutumbi Andoni and Lagosgbere House Boat in River and Bayelsa States arrested eight persons in connection with the recent vandalisation of the Agip pipeline. The suspects are in custody for preliminary investigation before handing over to the police.
