The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC)

  • Troops dismantle militant camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

    Troops dismantle militant camps in Bayelsa, Cross River

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), has dislodged unrepentant militants from their various camps in the creeks of Bayelsa and Cross River states.

    The troops, it was gathered, stormed many creeks in the Niger Delta region, destroying illegal refineries and clamping down on suspected oil thieves in a widened onslaught against oil-related crimes.

    The troops were said to have discovered and destroyed an active militant camp at the creeks of Isunkiri in Bayelsa.

    They reportedly recovered items such as two laptops, a hammer, Philippino currency note and coins, one plasma TV, one DVD player, saw blades,  four Motorola hand held radios, two R2 GMDS radios and four mobile phones.

    Others are five radio chargers, five motorola Radio batteries and one foreign ATM card, two sim cards, one civil helmet, pair of fire-fighting uniform, one GMI radio and documents/identity cards belonging to one Mr Roberto Bacariza Jr (Philippino).

    The troops also found civil clothes, four pairs of Swire pacific offshore overall uniform, two boxes of drugs, two foreign passports, one ladder, one blue colour speed boat mounted with 115 Horse power with inscription VIP on it and one 75 Horse power engine, light blue coloured fibre.

    The Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda confirmed the development and said a similar raid took place at creeks in Cross River.

    He said following a tip-off, troops dismantled a militant camp at Harrison Kiri, Liberty, Evil forest, Virgin forest, Opuru fishing port, Wangwa fishing port and Zion city.

    “At Harrison camp, suspected militant fled on sighting troops. They are being trailed. Similarly, troops raided Bukuma Jetty and arrested three suspected militants and one Cotonou boat laden with illegally refined Automated Gas Oil”, he said.

    Dauda also confirmed that troops of ODS widened the scope of its war against oil theft and other criminal activities in all the states of the region.

    In Bayelsa, he said: “Troops on anti-illegal bunkering operations in Obi creek Epelepele Community of Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State discovered and destroyed a bunkering camp.

    “Following a tip off, Mr Kelly Ikurusi, Mr Dokubo Erempagamo, Mr Orifie Borto and Mr George Friday AKA Yellow 1 were arrested.  Yellow 1 is said to be among the militants who attacked and killed own troops on 8 August 2016 at Nembe.  The four suspects are undergoing preliminary investigations.

    “Troops while on foot patrol discovered suspected criminal hideout around Biogbolo Secondary School in Yenagoa metropolis.

    “The area was cordoned and subsequently searched.  Troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a riser with the intention of blasting it. The IED was diffused as troops provided security.

    “Troops also discovered an illegal refinery site at Borokiri general area where bunkerers engage in massive loading of illegally refined AGO.  One container truck with registration number AWK 119 ZL loaded with 50 drums concealed behind bags of flours were impounded.

    “Toops while on anti-illegal bunkering operations at Adokeye Amah general area in Okrika discovered three illegal oil refining sites with 25 cooking pots and two large tank farms.

    “Items recovered include; three pumping machines and two welding machines. Also troops discovered reactivated illegal oil refineries which were destroyed”.

    Dauda disclosed that the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE foiled a kidnap attempt by gunmen led by the suspected leader of a cult group popularly referred to as “Icelander” at Entebe community in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said the gunmen on sighting the Naval gunboats, fled the scene.

    He said: “It was also reported that sea robbers operating from Eastern Obolo attacked and kidnapped unspecified number of persons on a ship at sea.  Troops of NNS JUBILEE are on the trail of the kidnappers for possible rescue.

    “Also troops at FOB FORMOSO stationed at Nembe creek repelled saboteurs who tried to vandalize and steal a control unit from a Well Head 72 operated by AITED Company. Vandals abandoned their tools on sighting troops.

    “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.

    “The Acting Commander Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe wishes to appreciate members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops and re-assure residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region of their safety as they go about their legitimate businesses”.

  • Troops stop militants from bombing another oil installation

    Troops stop militants from bombing another oil installation

    • Kill notorious militant in Cross River

    Troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe (ODS), on Monday, frustrated attempts by militants to bomb another oil installation in Delta State.

    Militants have resumed blowing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region especially in Delta State after a ceasefire, despite efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to talk with stakeholders from the region.
    But troops of ODS who were combing the creeks of the state uncovered an attempt by the militants to sabotage a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, described the oil facility as a wellhead at Kokori Oil Field, Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.
    It was gathered that the militants planted their explosives on the wellhead and were preparing to blow it when they sighted the troops.
    “On sighting the troops, the militants fled the sight,” Dauda said.
    Dauda further said that troops of Sector 4 in the ongoing mop-up operations at the creeks of Southern Cross River, killed a notorious militant popularly called Okon Iyo.
    He said Iyo was gunned down when he engaged the troops in a shootout in his failed attempt to escape the creeks.
    The spokesman said the deadly militant was rounded up when the troops raided the Efig Esighi forest located at Southern Cross River.

    “Similarly, troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militant who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries. His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi Local Government Area.

    “The troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Mr Otobong Sunday Essien,  at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi.  A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound.
    “In addition, the troops intercepted a Passat waggon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as “G1”. He is the sentry Commander of the group”, he said.
    He added that troops patrolling Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo Local Government Area discovered two militant shrines and apprehended the chief priest of the militant group with empty box of ammunition in one the shrines at Ekpri Ebutong Estate Bakassi.

    He said: “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law-abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses.”

  • Troops discover 25 human skulls, skeleton in militant shrines

    Troops discover 25 human skulls, skeleton in militant shrines

    …Arrest 40 IPOB members
    Gory and grim sight confronted troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) at four militant shrines tucked inside the creeks of Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas, Cross River State.

    The troops found 25 human skulls at various decomposing stages.

    The discovery, it was gathered, raised concerns that the militants were engaged in human sacrifice, perhaps, to fortify themselves for their devilish operations.

    The shrines, which were discovered at Ikot Ene Idam. Abakpa and Ikang creeks of the councils belonged to a notorious militant group, the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF).

    The troops, who raided the area following a tip-off, also found other human body parts that littered the area including a complete human skeleton.

    Confirming the development, the Deputy Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Com. Thomas Otuji, said the operation was conducted by ODS’ Sector 4.

    He said: “During the cordon and search operations, the troops discovered 25 human skulls in various stages of decomposition, a complete human skeleton and several other human body parts.

    “The shrines were destroyed as troops continue to search for the perpetrators of these heinous acts against humanity. With the clearance of these shrines, the Bakassi Strike Force has effectively been smoked out from the areas it’s used to hold sway.

    “It should be noted that the senseless killing of humans for ritual purposes is sacrilegious and will not be tolerated in any form within the Joint Operation Area”.

    Otuji said that the troops while combing the creeks arrested two suspects at Idebe Ifak Anam, Ikot Okon Edem and Abakpa in Bakassi.

    He said the suspects after preliminary investigation were discovered to be acting as spies for BSF militants.

    Also, troops of Sector 2 operating in Bayelsa State, reportedly arrested 44 members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at a club along Mabinton Estate, Okaka, Yenagoa.

    Otuji alleged that the group was planning to establish a state chapter of the banned IPOB to disrupt public peace.

    “They were duly arrested and handed over to relevant authorities for further investigations. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and sacrosanct.

    “Hence, any unlawful gathering that will cause mayhem, threaten the unity and sovereignty of the country will not be condone”, he said.

    Otuji noted that in Rivers State, troops of Sector 3 raided den of cultists in Finima, Bonny following a distress call that the hoodlums were terrorizing the community with AK47 rifles.

    He said the kingpin of the cultists identified as Eagle Face, on sighting the troops, dived into the water adding that two days after his lifeless body was seen by the locals floating in the creeks.

    According to him the locals retrieved the body and buried it at Bonny River bank.

    But he said that two of the suspected cult members were arrested with one locally made pistol, a machete and two handsets.

    He said the acting Commander, Brig. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, commended members of the public for their continuous cooperation and provision of timely information to the troops.

    He said Aligbe reassured residents and oil companies operatin in the region particularly the people of Southern Cross River of their safety and urged them to go about their legitimate businesses.

    “Operation Delta Safe has the full backing of the Federal Government to bring sanity to the Joint Operation Area within its rules of engagement”, he said.

  •  Troops battle militants, kill seven in Niger Delta 

     Troops battle militants, kill seven in Niger Delta 

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Friday, killed seven militants during a gun battle in the creeks of Cross River State.

    It was gathered that ODS’ troops of Sector 4 encountered the militants identified as members of the notorious Bakassi Strike Force (BSF), when they raided their hideouts at Ekpere Effiong creeks, in Akpabuyo area of the state.

    The militants, who were dressed in military camouflage with charms and amulets, reportedly engaged the troops in a gunfire that lasted for about two hours.

    On September 24, the militant group attacked a military location in Efut Isighi waterfront in Southern Cross River and reportedly killed two soldiers.

    Confirming the development, the Deputy Media Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Col. Thomas Otuji, said troops deployed in Efut Isighi encountered the militants again on September 30.

    He said: “Troops of Sector 4 Operation DELTA SAFE deployed at Efut Isighi at about 1:00am on 30 September 2016 engaged the Bakassi Strike Force in gun battle that lasted for more than 2 hours.

    “The militants who were in military camouflage uniforms carrying charms and amulets were spotted at Ekpere Effiong creek in Akpabuyo during a special operation by own troops.

    “The operation led to the killing of 7 members of Bakassi Strike force militants and recovering of several arms and ammunition.

    “Items recovered include, Grenade Launcher, 7.62mm NATO belted GPMG ammunition and non-disintegrating MG links.

    “It should be noted that this latest reprisal attack on own troop position was sequel to ongoing operations and destruction of several militant camps, vehicles, power bike and other household items”.

    Otuji the operation that led to the killing of the militants was in line with the mandate of ODS to protect oil and gas infrastructure, prevent and deter militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality within the Niger Delta region.

    In another development, he said the Sector 1 of ODS foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to breach a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

    He identified the oil installation as the OML 30, a 16-inch trans-Forcado pipeline running from Ughelli pumping station to Focados terminal at Agbowhiame, community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.

    He said two suspected vandals, Thomas Okoro and Maselk Boyi, were arrested for further investigations.

    He said: “On interrogation, eight other suspects mentioned by the two arrested suspects are being trailed.

    “Several items including; gas cylinder tubes with accessories, hacksaw, pipe wrench and personal effects were recovered at the scene.

    “Operation Delta Safe wishes to assure the general public of its determination to degrade and flush out criminal elements in our communities.

    “Members of the public are therefore requested to provide timely information to Operation Delta Safe detachments and other security agencies in order to apprehend these criminals from the hideouts”.

  • Troops arrest pirates’ medical doctor in Bayelsa

    Troops arrest pirates’ medical doctor in Bayelsa

    • Rescue kidnap soldier

    An unnamed medical doctor who specialised in the treatment of injured sea pirates and kidnappers has been arrested by troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield (OPS).

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Isa Ado, who confirmed the development said the troops also rescued a soldier kidnapped by pirates along Nembe Creek on March 24.

    Ado said the soldier was freed by troops of Sector 2 patrolling the creek of Otakeme Community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    He said the soldier was takn to a medical facility for treatment while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gunmen.

    On the arrested medical doctor, he said: “Toops deployed in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State arrested a medical worker who specialized in treating wounded militants and sea pirates who sustained gun injuries during shoot out with security operatives in the region.

    “It was revealed from the source that the medical worker who has been on the business for a long time was responsible for the treatment of the wounded sea pirates and their leader who recently engaged troops of the Joint Force in a shootout along Nembe water ways in Bayelsa State.

    “During the encounter, four of the sea pirates were killed while others sustained injuries.  Among them is the leader of the gang popularly known as IDIAGBON who was taken to the medical facility belonging to the arrested medical worker at Okiama village in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State where treatment was administered on them.

    “However, luck ran out on them as troops on getting the information cordoned off the area and arrested the medical worker while the wounded pirates escaped before the arrival of troops.  The arrested suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.”

    He said the troops also carried out anti-illegal oil bunkering activities around Igbematoru, Ogu-Bolo  and Bille axis of Bayelsa and Rivers State where some oil thieves operate with  seven wooden boats, two Cotonou boats, four surface tank loaded with suspected stolen products, seven storage tanks each loaded with 30,000 litres.

    He named other items discovered at the sites as pumping machines and underground tank filled with illegally refined AGO abiding that onesuspect was arrested during the operation. The sites and the items were subsequently destroyed.

    He said: “In another development, troops of Sector 1 Operation PULO SHIELD  deployed at Afiesere Flow Station in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta State on 18 March 2016 foiled an attempt by some unscrupulous elements to vandalise and cart away valves from Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) wellhead 18/37 at Afiesere in Ughelli North.

    “Troops on getting information responded swiftly and recovered 2 valves supposedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. The recovered exhibits are in custody of the Joint Force while efforts are in top gear to apprehend the perpetrators.

    “Meanwhile, troops while on land trotting along NPDC Erhoike Flow Station Kokori Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, arrested Vincent Egedegbe and Jackson Egedegbe in connection with the vandalization of wellheads 3 and 19 Oil field.

    “The suspects on completion of preliminary investigation were handed over to the Nigerian Police at Ughelli Area A for further action.

    “A car snatcher who gave his name as Michael Wilson was also  arrested on 26 March 2016 at Ogbe Ijaw market square in Warri South LGA of Delta State while attempting to snatch an ash coloured Toyota 4 Runner Jeep with registration number Delta GG 683 BB  belonging to one Mark (real name withheld). The suspect will be handed over to prosecuting agency on completion of preliminary investigation.

    “The Maritime component of the Joint Force also arrested a notorious pipeline vandal around Ogbe Ijaw axis on 25 March 2016.   Items recovered from the suspect include explosives, wires and empty AK 47 Rifle magazine. The suspect and the recovered items are in the custody of the Joint Force for preliminary investigation before handing over to prosecuting agency.”