JTF Nabs 2 Soldiers, 3 Others …For Illegal Bunkering In Rivers

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) stationed in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has arrested two soldiers and three civilians for alleged involvement in illegal bunkering activities in K-Dere, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sources in the community told  The Tide that the soldiers were among those drafted by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in November 2009 to the community to check the activities of bunkerers.
The source also said that when the JTF at Okrika, following a tip off drove into the community last weekend, they were surprised to see that two of the soldiers had removed their uniforms and were involved in the illegal business.
The men were immediately arrested the source said, well beaten and moved to Port Harcourt along with  their civilian collaborators.
A youth leader from the community who spoke under condition of anonymity told The Tide that such activity is a regular event in the area as no day passes without containers of crude oil leaving the area to Port Harcourt.
He prayed the authority to check the activities of  illegal bunkerers as their nefarious trade exposes the community to danger.
The JTF commander in Okrika Local Government Area could not be reached as at the time of going to press.