Operatives of the Joint Task Force. JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield have arrested five Nigerians and a foreigner from Republic of Benin, alleged to be specialists in sourcing for illegally distilled petroleum products in the Niger Delta area.
Confirming the arrests yesterday in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, spokesman of JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the suspects were apprehended by men of the 3 Battalion of the task force during a patrol in Opodibobo creek near Escravos in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to Lt. Col Nwachukwu, the cartel was smashed during one of the anti-oil theft operations carried out by the battalion.
He also disclosed that in another operation, seven suspects operating illegal oil distillation sites were arrested by troops of 3 and 19 Battalions covering the Sector 1 area of responsibility of JTF.
“During the operation, the troops scuttled 16 illegal oil distillation camps and 21 Cotonou boats in Tukula, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Odi II, Asugba, Beneth Island, Ekekudo, Escravos, Egwa, Egbeokute and Opodiboba in Warri South West, Warri South and Okpe local government areas.
“Also scuttled were seven illegal distillation sites in Moboko, Irhado, Agbekudo, Obodo Camp, Ajeosoho, Sapele Waterside and Omere in Ethiope West, Okpe and Sapele local government areas.
“The troops also scuttled 503 steel tanks, 22 cooking ovens, 44 plastic tanks, 16 large surface tanks, 12 dug-out pits, 329 drums and 13 pumping machines during the operation.”
In Bayelsa State, he said operatives of 343 Artillery Regiment and Gun Boat Company, covering the Sector 2 area of responsibility of the Joint Task, also arrested eight suspects for indulging in illegal oil bunkering activities.
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