Illegal oil bunker operating in the Niger Delta region have issued a threat to carry out a reprisal attack against the operatives of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF).
The threat is coming a few weeks after the internal security force also known as JTF had destroyed over 600 barrels of crude oil illegally exploited from wells in Gokana Local Government area of Rivers State.
Briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, headquarters of Bayelsa State, the JTF Commander, Major-General Sark in Yaki Bello started that since the operations was carried out “these criminals have reacted by threatening to attack JTF personnel for destroying what they claimed to be their source of livelihood.”
General Bello said, though there is no cause for alarm as soldiers are equal to the task, he cautioned the groups not to engage in any course that would be inimical to their own interest and by extension the entire region.
He reiterated the determination of the force to rid the region of criminal activities, saying that JTF will continue to destroy illegal refineries and arrest their operators.
Seize this opportunity to advise those who wish to carry out this plot to desist, and instead channel their talents to legitimate endeavours that will benefit not only themselves but also their communities and the entire nation,” General Bello declared.
The JTF Commander, however, stressed the need for effective legislation that would recommend stringent measure against the operators of the illegal business, contending that unless this was done the deals will continue at the expense of the nation’s economy.