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JTF Sings Success Story In 2013 …Blames Challenges On Logistics
The Military Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, has reeled out what it described as its success story for 2013 to journalists during a press briefing.
The Commander, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro, said that within the year his men arrested no fewer than 1,857 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 1,951 illegal refineries in 2013.
General Debiro disclosed that, the JTF conducted 1,025 anti-illegal oil bunkering patrols within the year under review through which the outfit scuttled 81 barges, 1,117 Cotonou boats, 82 tanker trucks and 1,873 surface tanks.
Debiro further said that 39,760 drums of illegally refined petroleum products, 570 pumping machines and 75 outboard motor engines used as apparatus to facilitate oil theft were seized and destroyed.
He also said 46 vessels of various sizes and capacities were arrested during the period.
The JTF boss said the outfit was able to achieve the above feat through constant patrols based on credible intelligence obtained from various sources, particularly command headquarters, other formations of the JTF, informants and good citizens.
Debiro said, “In spite of the difficult environment in which it operates, the JTF has recorded modest successes, although still confronted with a handful of challenges and constraints.
“These challenges were inadequate maritime platforms, insufficient operational vehicles, lack of some essential kits and insufficient manpower.
“The task force is however optimistic that most of these challenges will soon be addressed through the efforts of Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Headquarters and the National Economic Council intervention plan initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.
According to him, the outfit could stop illegal bunkering completely in the region provided it was well equipped and the logistical challenges facing the outfit fully addressed.
He commended his officers and men for their diligence in the fight against oil theft, piracy and other criminal activities in the region.
“We can stop illegal bunkering in our country. Afterall, it was started by someone. But this cannot be fully achieved if the logistical challenges facing the JTF are not addressed,” he added.