The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joint Task Force (JTF)

  • No mercy for oil thieves, pirates, says new JTF commander

    The new Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Real Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, said at the weekend that Akinrinade said the outfit under his command would show no mercy to oil thieves, pirates and other criminals in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking when he took over from the outgoing commander of JTF, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, at the outfit’s headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Akinrinade, asked criminals to repent or vacate the region.

    He commended Apochi for his leadership style, Akinrinade and promised to be proactive in curbing criminals and their networks

    As part of the strategies, he bowed to strengthen the synergy and cohesion among the various units, components and formations of the task force.

    In his remarks, Apochi said the operation under his command destroyed and dislodged major militant camps in the Niger Delta, to boost security in the region.

    Read Also: Our operations boosted oil production, says JTF

    He said the relative peace in the command increased crude oil production index of the country, which rose from a mere 900 barrel per day in 2016 to over two million barrel per day.

    He said: “When I came here in 2016, there were issues of militancy all over my joint operation area, but diligently, we have taken out the major militant camps in the Niger Delta region.

    “We have dislodged militant camps at Karawei in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa. The Bakassi strike force in Cross River, Lobia 1, 2 and 3 in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and Lowasiri camps in Bayelsa were strong bases of militants and kidnappers.

    “We have also dislodged militants in Etim Ekpo/Ukanafun Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom and restored peace to the areas.

    “The Asuzuama set of militants in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Baylesa were all dislodged.

    “We tracked down Don Wayne eventually, because of the pressure of our operational activities; he ran into the hands of another security group that eventually took him out. As at today, that camp at Amoputu is closed,” he stated.

     

  • Shot Bayelsa Govt House Photographer not dead

    The Photographer attached to Bayelsa State Government House, Reginald Dei, is not dead but in critical condition contrary to earlier reports.

    Dei was reported dead on Saturday after he was shot at close range in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    Sources said Dei, who was a popular photographer, was shot by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe.

    But JTF immediately refuted the allegations saying its troops were not involved in any skirmishes in the local government area during the election.

    Investigations, however, revealed that Dei was gasping for breath and battling for survival at an undisclosed hospital in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Read Also: Elections: Gunmen attack police checkpoint in Bayelsa

    It was learnt that the victim was in life support as doctors were battling to stabilize him.

    Some government officials led by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, were said to have visited him at the hospital.

    A member of the team, who spoke in confidence, said Dei was placed on oxygen adding that there was an urgent need to fly him abroad.

    He said the bullet hit him badly at close range from behind affecting an undisclosed major organ in his body.

    “He needs to be flown abroad and it must be done urgently. We sympathize with the family of Dei and we will do everything possible to save his life”, he said.

    Journalists in the state including members of Government House media crew were happy that Dei was still alive as they prayed God to save his life.

  • JTF, Shell deny coercing Bayelsa community to endorse spill report

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta and oil major, Shell on Monday denied allegations of coercing the leadership of Aghoro 1 community in Bayelsa to sign a disputed report on oil spillage.

    A disagreement in the areas impacted by an oil leak on the Trans Ramos Pipeline within Shell’s oilfield at Aghoro communities in Bayelsa has stalled the release of a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report of the oil spill.

    Read Also:Oil Spill: Communities threaten to stop Pipeline repair

    Community leaders, who participated in the JIV to determine the cause of the spill reportedly refused to sign the report.

    The refusal was attributed to wide disparity between the impacted areas claimed by Shell and the community.

    Mr Victor Akamu, Chairman of the Community Development Committee of Aghoro 1, had alleged that Shell connived with the JTF to force and intimidation, to compel the community to sign the report.

    Akamu told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yenagoa that JTF summoned the community’s leadership to Yenagoa on Aug. 23 to force them to sign the JIV report but that the leaders refused to sign.

    He said the team from Aghoro were labelled pipeline vandals and were profiled into the database of the JTF.

    “We were taken to a room where detailed profiles of all of us were taken, including our finger prints, biometric details and our photographs.

    “We were temporarily held down for almost three hours profiling before we were eventually told to go.

    “I wanted to ask if it is part of JTF’s job to force a community to sign a JIV report.

    “Shell should stop using JTF to intimidate our community. For the past 20 years, there is no history of pipeline vandalism.

    “This leak was due to a ruptured pipeline, due to corrosion yet they call us vandals, it is unacceptable,” Akamu said.

    However, reacting to the allegation of intimidation, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager of Shell, denied use of force to compel the company’s host communities to sign the JIV report.

    “Yes, there are issues with the JIV report. The representative of Aghoro 1 community did not agree with a portion of the JIV report but we have not used force.

    “SPDC does not coerce parties to sign JIV reports,” Odugbesan said.

    Similarly, the Commander of the JTF, Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman, dismissed the allegations of intimidation made by Aghoro community.

    He said that the military waded into the crisis to encourage both parties to adopt dialogue to resolve their differences to avert breach of peace.

    “We conduct our duties in compliance with our rules of engagement. We invited the parties to mediate and encourage them to dialogue and use the established channels of resolving conflicts.

    “I told them to resolve their differences on the negotiating table so that the operation is not disrupted. Our mandate is to safeguard oil facilities and we do not want the disagreement to degenerate further.

    “We got reports that some persons were disrupting ongoing repairs of the ruptured pipelines and that was why some people were profiled.

    “I was emphatic that we cannot tolerate anyone taking the law into his hands,” Suleiman said.

    NAN investigations showed that the leak, which occurred on May 17 this year, discharged about 1,114 barrels of crude oil into the environment and polluted the Ramos River and farmlands.

    The draft JIV report said the 1,114 barrels of crude impacted a total land area of 113.3 hectares in Aghoro 1 but the community claimed that the impacted area was 1825 hectares.

     

  • Fuel crisis hits Bayelsa as troops impound NNPC tankers 

    Fuel crisis hit Bayelsa State Monday following an industrial action declared against the state by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

    It was gathered that NUPENG directed their workers to down tools in protest of two fuel-laden tankers seized by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS).

    Troops of JTF were said to have taken over the tankers, which were initially impounded by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over allegations of diversion of products and alteration of documents.

    It was learnt that the interference of the troops would have led to inter-agency rivalries but for the quick intervention of NSCDC authorities.

    While NSCDC cleared the trucks belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NSCDC) and ordered their release after meeting with NUPENG and other stakeholders, the JTF was said to have insisted on conducting further investigations.

    NUPENG was said to have declared the industrial action after all its efforts to convince JTF to release the tankers proved abortive.

    Investigations revealed that following the face-off NUPENG members refused to lift fuel to Bayelsa.

    It was found that most petrol stations in Yenagoa sold out their products and locked their filling stations.

    Long queues of vehicles were seen in some stations as residents battled to buy the product.

    An NNPC source, who spoke in confidence, said despite all the documents proving that the products were not diverted, the JTF failed to release the petrol tankers.

    The source, however, said JTF authorities contacted the NNPC and said they were ready to release the truck.

    “This crisis was avoidable if the JTF had allowed NSCDC to handle the matter. We provided all the documents proving that the products were genuine and countering any claims of diversion.

    “They have called that we should come and claim the tankers but we can’t go without other stakeholders’ directives. Once NUPENG directs, we will go and move the tankers. So, hopefully lifting of petrol to Bayelsa will soon resume.

  • JTF recovers 1,389 arms, destroys 1,437 illegal refineries 

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) Thursday said it had so far recovered 1,389 different types of arms and 20, 352 items of munitions from militants and other hostile elements in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking at the JTF’s Headquarters, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.Gen. John Agim and Deputy Commander of the outfit, Brig.Gen. Kelvin Aligbe said the weapons were recovered at the ongoing mop up of arms in the region.

    Agim said the arms mop-up was initiated to restore law and order in the Niger Delta adding that troops also destroyed 1,437 illegal refineries and 795 wooden cargo boats used by oil thieves.

    He said in separate operations, the troops destroyed 3,872 metal surface tanks, 1,019 plastic tanks, 13,129 drums and 13,343 jerry cans containing illegally refined petroleum products.

    He said: “It is instructive to add that the introduction of the use of swamp buggy in the JTF’s anti-illegal refining operations has significantly degraded the capacity of illegal refinery operators to revamp destroyed illegal refineries.

    “However, individuals are discouraged from indulging in illegal refining and bunkering of crude products as this has huge implication in undermining and destroying the ecosystem”.

    Agim noted that since the activation of the outfit in 2017 a total of 1,846 suspects were arrested for various criminal activities.

    “A large percentage of these suspects have been transferred to prosecuting agencies. The force has also made efforts to target the arrest of high-profile elements and criminal kingpins, thus reducing the freedom of action they erstwhile exploited”, he said.

    He said the outfit seized and impounded 24 vessels, 191 barges, 234 outboard engines and 476 other types of passenger boats used to facilitate economic crimes in the region.

    He said the efforts of the outfit reduced the incessant destruction and sabotage of oil facilities, which resulted in drastic drop in crude oil production.

    Apart from reducing oil production output from 2.2m barrel per day to 900,000, he recalled that attacks on gas pipelines affected power generation capacity of the country.

    “It is gratifying to note that as at date, the production levels are averaging about 2.5m barrel per day. Indeed, the NNPC management recently affirmed that pipeline vandalism had dropped significantly.

    “These tangible successes have further spurred the task force to improve upon this standard to drastically reduce breaches on oil infrastructure. The force has made efforts to clear the area of identified militant camps whose activities have threatened national security”, he said.

    According to him recently troops of the outfit successfully conducted a covert operation with Special Forces to neutralise the activities of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF).

    Giving further insight, he said: “A high profile militant leader of the Bakassi Strike Force alias G1 had continued to pose transnational threat in Cameroun and other coastal territory of Bakassi, Ikang and environs in Nigeria.

    “Concertedly, our troops dislodged the militant group’s camp at a creek along Efut Esighi in Cross River state where several arms and ammunition were recovered and some militants neutralized”.

    Read Also: JTF launch Operation Jagunlabi to check pipeline vandalism in Lagos creeks

  • Four foreign missionaries kidnapped in Delta

    Four foreign missionaries kidnapped in Delta

    Four missionaries, of Caucasian race, were last week Friday, October 13, 2017, kidnapped by suspected militants around Enukorowa Creek community in Burutu council area of Delta state.

    The Nation gathered that the missionaries; Dr. David Donavan, Chilly Donavan, Alana and Iyan, had worked in the area for more than three years, preaching and administering free medical care to the people in the area.

    Although there had yet to be any link with the kidnappers or report on ransom demand as at yesterday evening, security hunch pinned the act on a notorious militant gang, known as Karowei, operating in the area.

    According to a police statement, the kidnap is suspected to be in reaction to the ongoing Operation Crocodile’s Smile, which is being executed by the Joint Task Force (JTF), codenamed Operation Delta Safe (OPDS).

    “On 13/10/2017, at about 0200hrs, five armed suspected members of Karowei militants stormed Enukorowa creek community in Burutu LGA of Delta State and kidnapped four white missionaries, namely: Dr. David Donavan, Chilly Donavan, Alana (surname unknown) and Iyan (surname unknown), who have been engaged in preaching and giving free medical treatment in the area for the past three years.

    “Intelligence reveals that the kidnap may not be unconnected with present onslaught on militant activities embarked upon by the military code – named Operation Crocodile Smile.

    “All efforts are being made in conjunction with the Joint Task Force (JTF) towards ensuring that the victims are rescued, while manhunt for the kidnappers has been intensified”, a statement issued by the spokesman of Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said.

     

  • Military quizzes activist in Bayelsa for report in social media

    Military quizzes activist in Bayelsa for report in social media

    Human and environmental rights activist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, was quizzed for about two hours by the military following a report he posted on social media.

    It was gathered that some military intelligence officers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) invited Morris to one of their Sector Commands in Otiotio, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.

    It was learnt that Morris, a key member of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in the state, was accompanied to the command by the state Chairman of CLO, Chief Nengi James and other officials of the organisation.

    Confirming the development, Morris said the military officers interrogated him on a follow-up to a published human rights-related investigations.

    He said it was interesting to know that the military was investigating his concerns over the whereabouts of three persons arrested by men in uniform at Ibelebiri over a year ago.

    “We later discovered that they wanted to get details about our report on the arrest of three natives of Ibelebiri, who were taken away over a year ago in the dead of the night by men in military uniform.

    “No relations or fellow community person knows where the three persons are being held or detained. We promised to give them more details on the matter. We were delighted to know that after all our concerns on human rights are being investigated,” he said.

  • Three Boko Haram escapees arrested in Lagos

    Three Boko Haram escapees arrested in Lagos

    …Police call for vigilance

     

    Three suspected Boko Haram terrorists who fled Borno State were arrested in Lagos last month, an Islamic cleric, Mohammed Abdullahi said Monday.

    Abdullahi stated this during a meeting between acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal and stakeholders in Area D Command held at the Isolo Townhall.

    According to the cleric, bulk of Boko Haram terrorists who escaped the northeastern part to Lagos were arrested at Ajao Estate, wondering why they always ran to the area.

    He said: “A lot of people think Boko Haram issue is just about the Northeast, but they are mistaken. We have been arresting fleeing Boko Haram members in Lagos.

    “I do not know if it is as a result of the proximity to the airport. Most of the escapee Boko Haram members who came to Lagos have been arrested in Ajao Estate. Just three weeks ago, we arrested three of them who ran from Borno State.

    “We have a way of identifying them. The Seriki Hausa in Ajao Estate has the contact of all the Local Government Chairmen in Borno State. That way, we usually know those Boko Haram elements who have fled the area to other parts of the country, “We have been doing this since 2014 and we have been working in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno. Once we identify them, we contact the JTF and they come and arrest them.

    “We were not working with the police because we thought the police would not collaborate with us. But now that the CP has indicated commitment to partner all stakeholders and enthrone community policing, we would be working with the police.”

    Reacting to Abdullahi’s disclosure, Edgal assured that the police would verify the claims by the cleric because there were serious security issues.

    He urged residents to be more vigilant, noting that Lagos cannot be isolated from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    Edgal said: “The issue raised by him is a vital security issue. I have taken his number. We must verify the facts. Nevertheless, it calls for increased vigilance. We cannot isolate Lagos from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    “We all know that Lagos is the melting pot of the country. Because Lagos is functioning, we are getting influx of people at astronomical rate.

    “We are going to have a meeting with and all Arewa leaders in the state so that localities where they have majority of their people are policed more closely.

    “Already, based on this community policing, I have extended hands of partnership to them. Like I said, I intend to partner their leaders to ensure every new face that comes into Lagos from that part of the country is monitored.

    “The final points of the partnership would mean that every community leader in Lagos would assist the police profile their members. We do not want strays. Anyone who comes into the state must identify with their communities and it is incumbent on the leaders to bring the persons forward for biometrics so that we would have records.”

    Ealier, the police chief noted that the prevalent crime in Area D Command was cultism, which he said the command would tackle headlong with the support of residents.

    Edgal reiterated that no police the world over could effectively fight crime without the collaboration of the people.

    He said: “I came here to introduce and explain my policing plan, aimed at reducing crime to the barest minimum and also enthrone rule of law. My plan is based on community policing and partnership initiative.

    “We have come to the realisation that it is not possible for any police force to police society without imput of members of that society. Policing is a localised activity. It is members of the community that know the inner streets/routes. They are the ones who know their policing needs.

    “It is our goal to partner society to ensure that our major highways, streets and communities are safe. At Isolo, I know that the major issues you have are those of neighbourhood robbery and cultism. Area D does not have issues of violent crimes.

    “We are putting in place measures to tackle crime and insecurity headlong. Before now, we lacked vigilance, strategy and structure to deal with issues of cultism and armed crime. But with functional partnerships, that would be contained.

    “For those who have been observant, you would see that Metro Patrol Vehicles are now stationed at all major junctions across the state. The deployment is to enable residents have first point of call when in distress.
    “You should run to the policemen and tell them your problem. They must not direct you to any police station. They have to take your complaint.

    “As we are in the ember months, ensure your neighbourhood has vigilante groups. Call out your neighbours to volunteer and assist local guards and police keep you safe.

    “Screen them and take list to your Divisional Police Officer (DPO). They would be called for profiling and documented. Armed policemen would be attached to them because no vigilante member is allowed to carry arms.”

    At the event were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence (SCIID), Bolaji Salami; Area D Commander, Olasoji Akinbayo; Chairmen, Isolo and Ejigbo Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), Olaleye Shamsudeen and Bello Oba, as well as traditional rulers, market and religious leaders among others.

  • JTF nabs five pipeline vandals in Niger Delta

    JTF nabs five pipeline vandals in Niger Delta

    The military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to protect oil facilities in the Niger Delta says it has arrested five suspects for vandalising oil facilities in the area.

    Commander of the JTF, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, told journalists on Tuesday in Yenagoa that two suspected kidnappers were also killed in multiple raids conducted in the area last weekend.

    Apochi said that the vandals had disrupted oil production by sabotaging the Tebidaba-Ogboinbiri-Brass Pipeline operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company.

    “Our efforts in tackling the activities of pipeline vandals resulted in the arrest of suspects that detonated dynamites resulting in the breach of an oil facility, located at Tebidaba-Ogboinbiri-Brass Pipeline in Bayelsa.

    “Troops, who were acting on a tip-off, spotted a suspected hideout at a fishing camp along Isonogbene, in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa, where three suspects were arrested for complicity in the vandalism incident.

    “Similarly, troops deployed at Beneside location, Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa also apprehended two persons, who were alleged to have been responsible for sabotage and theft of wellhead 6 actuator devices, an oil wellhead tool.

    “Their criminal action led to disruption of the operations of the oil firm. The wellhead is currently under repairs,” he said.

    Col. Jibril Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the JTF Commander, noted that the successes recorded by the team was largely due to the support of residents and urged them to do more.

    The commander said that troops deployed at Omoku Forest in Rivers also engaged some suspected armed kidnappers in a gun duel leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victim.

    According to him, the incident led to the death of two of the suspected kidnappers, while the victim is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Port Harcourt.

    The Commander said that troops also raided a suspected pirates’ hideout at Eleme in Rivers and recovered several items, including ammunition.

    He listed some of the items recovered to include 23 rounds of 7.62 mm Ball special ammunition, one generating set and a 40 Horse Power Suzuki speed boat engine, amongst others.

    The suspects, however, escaped, he said.

     

  • JTF Commander lauds troops for repelling attack in Ondo State

    The Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Rear Admiral Suleman Apochi, on Sunday commended the gallantry of soldiers who recently repelled an attack by militants on the JTF’s troops in Ondo State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the JTF troops had killed a suspected militant leader in a shoot-out with militants in Ondo state, and one soldier was also killed during the incident that occurred on April 30.

    Apochi told NAN in an interview in Yenagoa that the JTF under his command remained committed to protecting innocent citizens residing in the Niger Delta region.

    He said it was regrettable that troops deployed on routine patrols to secure oil infrastructure were targeted in unprovoked attacks.

    He explained that the soldiers were ambushed but they quickly recovered and repelled the attack, while the militants took to their heels when they realised that their leader was killed.

    The commander said the hoodlums fled with gunshot wounds.

    According to the Commander, the military has reopened the Ono-Lagos waterways and made it navigable after the militants’ group led by late Ossy Ibori had blocked the route for four months.

    He noted that the relative peace and reduced incidents of attacks on oil facilities were a result of the tireless efforts of the Joint Military Force deployed to the region and called for the support and understanding of the people of the area.

    “Our people need to understand the sacrifices of the military as patriotic citizens who have volunteered to protect them and give them the support they need in the line of duty, we are trained to defend people.

    “In the ongoing operation to fish out those responsible for the attack, we are very careful not to harm innocent people and we shall make no mistake about it, but anyone who habours or protects criminals will lose that immunity.

    “We shall go after anyone or community that shields the criminals,” Apohi warned.