JTF Shuts 17 Illegal Refineries

Anti-oil theft patrol troops of 319 Battalion and NNS Delta deployed in the Sector 1 area of responsibility of the Joint Task Force, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ in Edo and Delta states have uncovered and destroyed five illegal oil distillation sites.
Consequently, 40 Cotonou boats used by oil thieves operating with 300 metal tanks, 64 plastic storage tanks, 72 drums, 68 cooking ovens, four pumping machines and one Lister Generator at Takular, Otegele 1, Okpogbene and Ovulaiye general area of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State were recovered.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the operational Headquarters of JTF in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and signed by its Media Cordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu.
The statement also said that the troops intercepted a locally made tug boat conveying 30 drums of stolen petroleum at Ajide along Benin River in Edo State.
“The Cotonou boats and other apparatus were destroyed in line with JTF mandate, while the six suspects nabbed during the operation have been moved to the Tactical Headquarters of the Battalion for preliminary investigation.”
In another anti-illegal oil bunkering operation, the statement further said: “Operatives of 29 Battalion and Gun Boat Detachment patrolling the waterways and creeks along Soku–Ofumakiri, Bolo, Oloma and Isaka of Rivers State in the Sector 2 area of responsibility of the Joint Task Force have clamped down on four active illegal refineries operating with 40 cooking ovens, 30 plastic storage tanks, 50 drums, 1 welding machine, 2 pumping machines and a 45KVA generator.
“The troops also intercepted a Cotonou boat containing 86 drums laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO). The illegal refineries and the apparatus discovered were scuttled in situ, while the two suspects arrested in the sting operation are currently assisting investigators at the Sector 2 Headquarters.”
From the Bayelsa end, the statement contained that troops of 343 Regiment patrolling the waterways of the state have shut down eight illegal crude oil distillation sites and scuttled six Cotonou boats operated by oil thieves in Tebidaba and Igbematoru communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“The operatives also scuttled 69 metal drums and two pumping machines used by the oil thieves to operate the illegal refineries.”
During the entire operation which lasted from 21 to 28 February, 2014, eight suspects were arrested for oil theft related offences.
They are currently undergoing preliminary investigations and will subsequently be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies, the statement added.

L-R: Former Presidents, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, at the Centenary dinner and awards in Abuja, last Friday