PRESS RELEASE                                                            

JOINT TASK FORCE SHOUT DOWN 40 ILLEGAL DISTILLERY CAMPS, DESTROYED 21 COTONOU BOAT AND 78 DUMP USING SWAMP BUGGY

As a result of proactive intelligent gathering on the activities of the illegal oil bunkerers and oil thieves in Niger Delta. Troops of Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD have shut down 40 illegal distillery camps along Alkini Kalatoro, Lagosbene and Epelene creeks in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State where oil thieves operates with 21 Cotonou boats, 78 dumps and 154 plastic drums filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude.  Both the sites and the items were destroyed in-situ with the aid of swamp buggy.  No suspect was arrested during the operation.  Troops were already deployed in the general area.

In a related development, troops of the Sector 1 anti illegal bunkering squad of the JTF has intercepted and arrested four trucks located with products suspected to be illegally refined product and crude oil along Akpokoka waterside in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.  The vehicles are in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.

Two illegal crude oil refineries were also brought to total extinction at Egboisi Community in Uhumwada Local Government area of Edo State.  Other items discovered at the site are three pumping machine and a generating set.  The sites and the items were destroyed in-situ.

MUSTAPHA  ANKA

Lieutenant Colonel

Coordinator

JMCC