NIGERIA (Bayelsa) – In its quest to curb sea piracy and other related offences in the year 2013, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, has disclosed that 82 sea pirates and robbers were killed, while three of its operatives in active service died and three others got drowned in the year.

This was stated at a press briefing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by the Commander of JTF, Major-General Bata Debiro.

He said the mandate of the JTF was to stop illegal bunkering activities in the upstream sector, protect oil and gas facilities and installations, secure the environment and other lawful activities in the region.

Major-General Bata Debiro added that operatives killed 23 kidnappers and conducted 1,025 anti-illegal oil bunkering patrols, while over 1,951 illegal refinery camps in the region were destroyed.

Also, a total of 1,857 crude oil thieves were arrested while over 1,117 Cotonou boats, 82 tanker trucks, 81 barges and 1,873 surface tanks were destroyed during the 2013 operational year.

He also added that three of its soldiers were killed by sea pirates at Andoni, Rivers State, while three others drowned in a river near Akassa in Bayelsa State.

“In the year under review, JTF successfully conducted several land, maritime and air operations against illegal oil bunkering and refining activities, pipeline vandalism, armed robbery and sea robbery.

“The task force also conducted anti-kidnapping operations, cordon and search, destruction of re-emerging militant camps and provided security to oil and gas companies in the past twelve months.

”Over 42 armed robbers were killed and a total of 183 suspects were arrested, 40 sea pirates were also killed, 41 arrested and all manners of assorted arms and ammunition recovered from January to date.”

On acts of kidnapping, the JTF Commander said though the menace seems to be on the increase, its operatives command killed over 23 kidnappers, arrested 236 suspects and recovered several weapons from the hoodlums.