The Operative of the Sector 2 anti illegal oil bunkering of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD has arrested an ocean going Barge used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.  The Barge containing unascertained quantity of crude oil was intercepted and arrested at Mangbiye creek in Sangana community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. 

According to Lt Col. Mustapha Anka in a press release made available to CEOAFRICA’s news desk, the troops deployed at Kalaibiama also discovered one wooden boat and a metal barge filled with stolen crude oil.  No arrest was made as the suspects absconded on sighting the troops.  Similarly the troops deployed at Igbematoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State while on patrol discovered and destroyed 23 illegal oil distillery camps, 18 illegal oil dumps, and 34 drums filled with stolen crude.  Other items discovered and scuttle 6 Cotonou boats and 3 pumping machines used for illegal oil bunkering activities.  Six suspects were arrested while illegally siphoning products from Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) pipeline at Okwagbude Community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

 In another operation carried out in the Sector 1 of the JTF, troops deployed at Opunami general area of Warri South and Abudu Ohumwode Local Government Area of Delta and Edo State respectively troops discovered and scuttled 30 illegal oil distillery camps where oil thieves operate with 15 Cotonou boats, 13 plastic tanks and 365 drums filled with substances suspected to be illegal refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).  Other items discovered at the site include 3 pumping machines, one speed boat, 16 cooking ovens and several other illegal oil bunkering materials.  Both the items and contents were destroyed in situ.  The troops also intercepted a speed boat conveying suspected illegal oil bunkering equipment of 3 pumping machine, a packet of wielding electrolyte, cutting iron and drilling machine at Yokiri area of responsibility in Delta State.  The boats and the items are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.

 Following an intelligent tip off troops deployed at Omadine in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State during land throttling intercepted and arrested a trailer lorry loaded with 50 drums illegally refined AGO, 49 drums filled with crude oil and 35 drums of sludge.  Three suspects were also arrested.  Both the vehicle and the suspects are in the custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation.  Another two suspects were also apprehended along Aziza junction in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State conveying 400 liters capacity container in a Mitsubishi Gallant Saloon Car filled with substances suspected to be illegally refined AGO.  Both the vehicle and the products were set ablaze while the suspects are in custody for preliminary investigation before handing over them over to prosecuting agency.

Signed

Lt Col. Mustapha Anka

Coordinator

JMCC