JTF Frees Kidnap Victim, Arrests Two Oil Thieves

The Joint Task Force (JTF)
in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says it has  rescued a kidnap victim and arrested two suspected oil thieves within the last 10 days.
The task force, in a statement issued in Yenagoa by Lt.-Col. Isa Ado, said it had also recovered arms from the suspects and destroyed two illegal refinery sites during the multiple operation.
“ Troops of the JTF have rescued Mr Julius Omeregie who was kidnapped by gunmen at Okhuaihie community in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo.
“The victim and his family of five were abducted in his Honda CRV Jeep but the kidnappers later abandoned the vehicle with the family members before whisking the victim away.
“On getting the information, troops of the JTF in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the local vigilante, combed the area and rescued the victim.
“One of the kidnappers was killed during a shootout between the troops and the kidnappers.
“ A pump action gun with 10 rounds of cartridges was recovered while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.
It said that in another operation, two suspected oil thieves were also arrested at Oreerokpe community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta while conveying illegally refined diesel in a Volkswagen Jetta car marked Delta AM 306 JRT.
It said the suspects reportedly confessed to have carried out oil bunkering around Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) waterside in Warri South Local Governmemnt Area of Delta.
“The vehicle and the products were moved to a safe place and destroyed while the suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary investigation before they are handed over to the police for prosecution.
“Also, the JTF troops in collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS) destroyed two illegal oil refining camps around Akasa 06 and 103 Cawton Channel 2 in Rivers,” Ado said.
The JTF spokesman said that the task force had recovered more arms following the arrest of some suspected pirates that attacked the JTF patrol troops on Jan. 8, 2015.
“This is the aftermath of a cordon-and-search operation conducted by the 146 Battalion of the task force.
“During the operation, one AK 47 rifle with registration number 02430 and Butt number 897 were recovered together with two magazines loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition each.
“Also recovered are parts of two AK rifles with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.