Authorities of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield said it’s operatives have arrested the leader of a notorious cult group in Rivers State, Mr Solomon Owhondah, over alleged involvement in the series of killings and destruction of properties  in Ibaa community of Emohua Local Government Area.
The command also said eight members of various  cult groups involved in the  community crisis voluntarily surrendered themselves to the JTF after being declared wanted over their roles in the crisis.
A statement  in Yenagoa and signed by the Head of Joint Media Campaign Centre,Colonel Mustapha Anka, in Yenagoa said that “the cult  leader Mr Solomon Owhondah who was the brain behind serial killings and destruction of properties worth millions of naira were destroyed was arrested by the troops of the Sector Two and currently going through investigation to ascertain his level of involvement before handing him over to the prosecuting agency for prosecution.”
“This is coming after  eight cultists on the wanted list in connection with Ibaa crisis surrendered themselves to the JTF.  Items recovered from the cultist includes 1 Police Berretta rifle, 1 double barrel gun, 3 locally made pistols, 8 Nokia phones, 3 empty magazines and 4 rounds of 7.62mm Special.
The suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before handing them over to prosecuting agencies.”
In a related development, the special squad of the Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo SHIELD anti illegal oil bunkering in conjunction with the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Oil and Gas Task Force has intercepted and arrested an illegal oil bunkering barge containing unquantified substances suspected to be stolen crude oil along Igbematoru waterways of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to the JTF, Four suspects on board the barge were arrested and are undergoing preliminary investigation while the barge is being anchored at Igbematoru House Boat for further action.
“In the Sector One general area, the 222 and 3 Battalions operating along Tuomo and Chanomi West Communities in Burutu and Warri South Local Government Areas of Delta State have discovered two illegal oil distillery camps where oil thieves operates with Cotonou boats, 26 drums with 200 litres capacity containing illegally acquired crude oil, two ovens and other several illegal oil bunkering equipment. The illegal sites and the equipment were destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says its special squad of the anti-illegal oil bunkering and oil theft has arrested an illegal oil bunkering barge in the region.
The JTF said the barge containing an unquantified volume of Automated Gas Oil (diesel) suspected to be illegally refined was apprehended by its troops that were patrolling along Alakiri waterways of Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement yesterday, the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Mustapha Anka, said the barge, which had four compartments, was fully loaded with suspected stolen products.
Anka said the apprehension took place after loading from an undisclosed illegal oil refining camp in Alakiri area of the state adding that the arrest followed a tip off, stressing that the barge was arrested on its way to the sea.
He said the barge and the product were towed to a safer place and destroyed immediately in line with the mandate of the JTF.
Anka said, “In line with his zero tolerance campaign for oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, the Commander, JTF, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, earlier warned vessel and barge owners to always verify the usage purpose before letting it out.“He even warned that any vessel or barge arrested for oil related crimes will be destroyed and suspects prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.”