Troops of Sector 2 Operation PULO SHIELD has deployed at Bille and Mejdukri creek on December 21, 2015 intercepted and arrested an illegal oil bunkering Barge christened EUCHARIA 111 loaded with products suspected to be locally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

The Barge, according o a statement made available by the Coordinator Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Isa Ado, was anchored near an illegal oil bunkering site before it was arrested. Items recovered in the bunkering site include eight pumping machine, one generator set and large quantity of spanners and screwdrivers.

In the same vein, the maritime component of the operation, NNS DELTA intercepted and arrested an illegal oil bunkering vessel with registration name as AFRICAN SKY laden with 670MT of stolen crude oil.

Troops of Operation PULO SHIELD while carrying out anti-illegal bunkering patrols around Aprugbene creek, Lagosgbene, Otowo of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and Ekeremor, Ikantu creek of Burutu LGA of Bayelsa and Delta State respectively dismantled illegal distillery camps where oil thieves operates with 32 illegal oil bunkering boats, eight storage pits, six pumping machines, cooking ovens and plastic tanks filled with stolen crude and AGO.

Two suspect, Mr Stephen Thomas and Mr Chukwudi Nwokedi were arrested for oil theft and pipeline vandalism. While Thomas was arrested at Ekeremor Camp, Nwokedi was arrested while vandalising NPDC pipeline in Ughelli West Wellhead. Items recovered from the suspect include Wellhead and car with registration number DELTA PTN 82 AA. A total of two illegal oil fields were destroyed during the operation. The camp and the recovered items were destroyed in-situ.

Troops also carried out anti-piracy and robbery operation and arrested five suspects at Kalatoro, Akassa and Oruma Communities in Bayelsa State. Two of the suspects Mr Gabriel Romeo and Goodluck Father had at the time of their arrest a locally made pistol with four cartridges. Other items recovered are12 GSM phones, wooden boat containing plastic drums, three metal drums and 10 jerry cans filled with illegally refined AGO. The items were destroyed in-situ while the suspects and recovered arms are in custody of OP PULO SHIELD for preliminary investigation