Oil Theft: JTF Nabs 15

The Joint Task Force (JTF) has continued its stream of success against illegal bunkerers and oil thieves in the Niger Delta region as its troops of 5 Battalion deployed in the Sector 2 have impounded two barges laden with illegally sourced crude oil along the Kasabobo Creek during a week-long intensive anti-oil-theft patrol targeted at sanitising the creeks and water ways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
This was contained in press statement made available to journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital yesterday by the spokesman of the JTF, Lt Col Onyema Nwachukwu.
According to Lt. Col Nwachukwu, the troops were ordered by the Commander, Sector 2, Brigadier-General Osasogie Uzamere to embark on the operation following reports of recalcitrance of oil thieves in the area despite regular raids by the force.
“The barges christened CWTC 16 and TIKORO 2 with eight compartments each, filled with stolen crude oil were intercepted by the troops while trying to make their way into the international waters through Forupa channels,” he said
The statement said the troops also carried out raids on illegal crude oil distillers along Ogbenibiri, Kugbie and Forupa in Southern Ijaw, where they dismantled eight illegal crude oil distillation sites and scuttled seven steel reservoirs deceptively buried in the ground and concealed with canopies to prevent detection by troops.
The JTF information co-ordinator also disclosed that in a separate operation in Rivers State, the anti-oil-theft patrol team of 146 Battalion carrying out surveillance along Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) right of way arrested four suspects at an active illegal crude oil distillation site at George Kiri near Bonny Island.
“ According to the statement, 21 drums containing illegally distilled Automated Gas Oil (AGO) loaded in four 75HP OBM speed boats were recovered from the suspects.”
He stated that a cordon and search conducted around the illegal refinery site led to the discovery of a metal pipe connection welded on PPMC pipelines which would require the assistance of a technician to be disconnected. The suspects and recovered items have been taken into custody pending further investigation.
In Delta state, the statement further indicated that troops of 3 and 19 Battalions covering the Sector 1 area of responsibility of the JTF arrested seven pipeline vandals in Atiowowo, Kolokogbene and Ejere junction of Warri North and Warri South local government areas of the state, respectively.
The arrest led to the detection and scuttling of 5 illegal distillation sites, 15 open wooden boats (Cotonou boats), 10 surface tanks and 112 drums.
Also recovered from the suspects were a hand drilling machine, drilling pipe, hoses, hammers and cutlasses. The troops also closed down 19 dug out pits filled with stolen crude oil.
“Two suspects were taken into custody during the operation and will be handed over to prosecuting security agencies at the conclusion of preliminary investigations”, the statement concluded.

Vice President Namadi Sambo (right), welcoming Chairman, Total Africa and Overseas, Mr Momar Nguer (2nd left), who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, yesterday. With them is Management Consultant, Total Plc, Mr Onochie Haffner (left).