JTF Destroys 4,349 Illegal Refineries

A total of 4,349 illegal refineries were destroyed in various operations carried out by members of the Joint Taskforce (JTF), in the Niger Delta between January and December, 2012.

The commander, Joint Taskforce Operation, Pulo Shield, Major-General Jao Ochoga, who stated this in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, during the media briefing on this year’s operation of Taskforce, said 1,945 illegal oil bunkering suspects, 1,215 Cotonou boats, 187 tanker trucks, 178 illegal fuel dumps as well as 5,574 surface tanks were destroyed during the period.

Major General Ochoga further disclosed that additional 36,584 drums of illegal refined products, 638 pumping machines and 326 out-board engines were seized and destroyed.

The command conducted 7,585 anti-illegal bunkering patrols in the area within the last 12 months.

According to the JTF commander, the most outstanding success of the command was the arrest of 18 vessels which he named MT ANE, MT OXO, MT Amuno-Ibi, MT Vannesa and MT Princess Nnenna, MV premier, MV Somtrans, MT Mintra, as well as MT Alexander.

Other vessels arrested by JTF are MT Opesco Peter, MV Liberty, MT Sophia, MT Situra, MT Eve and MT Lester, adding that the command resisted the illegal offer by the offers of the vessels MV Premier and MV Somtrans to secure their release.

“In a frantic move to secure the release of the MV Premier and MV Somtrans, the owner, Joshua Orukpere offered the chief of Staff Headquarters, JTF the sum of N10 million as bribe.”

“He was arrested when he brought the sum of $30,300 as upfront, adding that the arrests underscore the commitment of the JTF to eradicate illegal oil bunkering while making the business unrewarding and frustrating for the perpetrators.

He averred that the Taskforce conducted reconnaissance of SPDC and NNPC pipeline networks in order to carryout effective protection of oil and gas facilities, adding that both air and ground patrols are regularly carried out to check vandals from sabotaging the pipelines.

The JTF commander also stated that the Taskforce identified and clamped down on militant camps in Oron, Akwa Ibom, Ikang in Cross River, Foropa in Bayelsa, Ojoma Creek and Ferupakama community in Rivers, adding that in the afore-mentioned cases, suspects were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition, including RPG 9 bombs, RPG 7 bombs and 40 mm grenade were recovered.

Major General Ochoga listed community support for oil thieves, involvement of foreigners in illegal bunkering, ineptitude of oil company surveillance contractors as well as prosecution and quick dispensation of Justice as some of the challenges confronting the force in the region. He however stated that nine officers of the force lost their lives between March and May 2012.

He reiterated determination of the Joint Taskforce (JTF) to eradicate oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region, adding that actualising the mandate would require the co-operation of all stakeholders, opinion, community leaders and all law-abiding citizens.

The JTF commander also accused some foreigners of complicity in the crime, urging them to desist forthwith or incur the wrath of the government.

L-R: Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr Koyin Ajayi, the author, “Harmattan Haze and African Spring,” Prof. Wole Soyinka and former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, during the launch of the book in Lagos, on Tuesday.