Tag: JTF

The Joint Task Force (JTF), ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, has arrested 2,443 suspects for illegal bunkering between January last year and last month.

Its spokesperson, Lt-Col Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the revelation in an exclusive interview, also revealed that 5,049 illegal refineries were destroyed during the period.

He said: “Also destroyed were 133 barges, 1,215 Cotonou (open) boats, 187 tanker trucks, 178 illegal fuel dumps as well as 5,574 surface tanks.

“In addition, 36,504 drums of illegally refined products, 638 pumping machines and 326 outboard engines were seized and scuttled.”

Lt. Col. Nwachukwu said one of the most outstanding successes recorded last year was the seizure of 18 vessels.

He added that one of the vessel owners was so desperate to secure its release that he offered a N10 million bribe to a senior officer.

“He (suspect) was arrested when he brought $30,300 (N4.7268 million) as upfront payment.”

The JTF spokesman said 498 suspects, 18 vessels, 26 barges, 545 assorted boats, were arrested by patrol teams.

No fewer than 748 illegal oil distillation camps were destroyed during the first four months of the year.

Lt-Col Nwachukwu challenged those linking JTF soldiers and officers to illegal oil deals to provide evidence to back their claim.

A vessel, Erishna Dolphin and two barges have been impounded by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta.

A statement by the Task Force’s spokesman, Lt. Col Onyeama Nwachukwu, said the ships were impounded during a raid by the 343 Regiment of Sector 2 on Obi Creek in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“Eleven suspects operating two barges laden with 7,500 and 500,000 litres of adulterated Automated Gas Oil illegally distilled from stolen crude oil were arrested at Bakana creek and Abonema waterfront in Rivers State by troops of 146 Battalion of JTF, Sector 2.

“The barges, which are now secured at Abonema Wharf, were intercepted during a patrol carried out by gunboat troops.”

Lt. Col Nwachukwu said the suspects have been taken into custody for preliminary investigations before they would be handed over for prosecution.

“In similar operations, 21 illegal oil distilleries and 41 pumping machines have been seized in Ondo, Edo and Delta states.

“Fifteen of the illegal distilleries were discovered along Takula Creek and Itakpe at the boundary between Ondo and Delta states, where 40 steel surface tanks and 25 pumping machines were seized.

“Other items seized include 426 plastic tanks and 10,645 drums used to store adulterated Automated Gas Oil distilled from stolen crude oil.

“During the operation which was carried out from May 17 to 24, 21 suspects were arrested for alleged oil theft and related crimes.”

A nursing mother and expectant woman were among the five persons arrested by the JTF men for alleged illegal bunkering in Opumami area of Warri, Delta State.

Fifteen illegal bunkering boats containing several thousands of illegal refined AGO were also destroyed and set ablaze during the operation that commenced at 6am last Friday.

Three young men, who claimed to be members of the pipeline surveillance team, operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), were also arrested in the operation, led by the Commanding Officer of the 2 Battalion, Lt. Col Ifeanyi Otu.

Twenty-two year-old Mrs. Tonkere Lucky, a mother of six, had a baby strapped on her back when she was arrested while allegedly scooping crude oil from a large local (Cotonou) boat.

Two other suspects, Rufus Omotoye and Blessing David (aka Emotoghan Blessing Akpos), told our reporter that they are members of Oil Facilities Surveillance Limited, a private firm engaged by the Federal Government to secure the facilities.

The third suspect, Victor Tena, reportedly jumped into the river in an attempt to escape. He was subsequently arrested.

He reportedly confessed that he worked for the leader of a syndicate in Sapele.

Mrs. Lucky, who had a bag containing bread, diapers and other provisions, denied that she was involved in the crime.

She said she was fishing when the troops swooped on her and her alleged accomplice, Mrs. Ayas Ebipare.

Her words: “We were fishing when my colleague (Ebipare) started vomiting because she is pregnant. So, I took her to a nearby camp where she could take a boat back to the village.”

However, Lt. Col. Otu told our reporter that the denial was typical of a suspect.

He said: “It is normal for a suspect to deny an offence. But the moment you are caught at the scene of a crime and you were not the one who reported it means you are an accomplice.

“Even if you are a soldier, and you are caught at the scene of a crime, you will be treated as a suspect.

“We know they are involved and the evidences are there. The areas we conducted the operation is isolated and those arrested were caught at the scene,” he stated.

The Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield) yesterday paraded nine minors suspected to be members of four cult groups.

Commanding Officer, Koko Barracks, Lt-Col Frank Etim described the quartet as informants collaborating with kidnappers, robbers and assassins in Sapele Town, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.

The minors, according to Etim, are aged between 10 and 16 years.

He said they confessed to being initiated into cult groups –“Eye”, “Blue Sparrow”, “Cage Bird” and “Dan Sailor”, by their seniors.

Lt-Col Etim said the minors swore never to divulge the names and addresses of their leaders to security officials.

He urged parents to watch their wards in order not to allow other people influence them negatively, warning that secret cult members and kidnappers will henceforth not have any hiding place in the area.

Lt Col Etim said the minors confessed to being initiated with a red liquid drink after being severely beaten with canes for hours.

They also confessed to marks of identification marks on their backs and upper alms, as mark of initiation.

The minors said their duties were to act as spies at various locations for their leaders, and deliver reports to aid kidnapping, robbery and assassination.

The suspects listed the seniority of the groups in descending order as Eye (most senior) , Blue Sparrow, Cage Bird, and Dan Sailor.

Lt-Col Etim said: “On May 13, our personnel at Sapele arrested nine members of the Cage Bird, Blue Sparrow, and Dansailor cult groups during their activities in a remote area of Sapele and Elume communities in Sapele LGA of Delta State.

“The suspects all of whom are minors have all confessed to the crime.

“This crime involving minors reinforces the need for parents to watch over their wards in order not to allow other persons influence them negatively.”

Leaders of thought in Egbema kingdom in Edo and Delta states have accused officers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) of killing and arresting youths in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

They urged the Presidency to intervene to avoid confrontation between the community and the JTF.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting held in Benin City yesterday by the leaders of thought.

They said the community was shocked by the recent attack on the area by men of the JTF, which led to the killings and arrests of some of their people for no just cause.

The communiqué, signed by Joel Bisina, Shell Baidi Esq., R.E.O Esite Esq. and Ugha Kurumah Esq, said: “We, the Egbema leaders of thought in Edo and Delta states condemned the recent killing, maiming and arrest of some of our youths by men of the JTF. “We enjoin President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene by calling them to order as well as ordering the release of those in detention, to avoid confrontation between the community and the JTF.

“We decry the marginalisation of Egbema kingdom by the governments of Edo and Delta states, especially in appointment into key positions. We attribute the situation to our disunity, which has resulted in the total neglect of our people and underdevelopment of infrastructure in our communities since the creation of Edo and Delta states.

“A seven-man committee to be chaired by Rev. Wotu Seigha Elijah has been constituted by the meeting to reconcile disagreeing groups in the kingdom, while another body to be known as Egbema Central Council, which will be headed by Shell Baidi Esq., has also been constituted to pilot the affairs of the kingdom.

“Egbema leaders of thought shall in a subsequent meeting adopt the Udo–Egbema road project committee to work in conjunction with the Federal Government to ensure a speedy and successful completion of the road project, which was awarded long ago. We hail the convener of the meeting, Joel Bisina.

“The session is urging the sons and daughters of Egbema kingdom to stop dissipating their energies in fighting themselves. They should channel such energies to see how they can improve on their life styles and bring development to their area. The meeting, however, acknowledges the goodwill message from the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman, Committee on Amnesty Programme. Hon. Kingsley Kuku and wishes him well in his endeavour.”

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday paraded nine alleged abductors of a cleric, Daniel Onotere

Onotere was abducted last week by gunmen, who demanded a ransom of N100 million.

The suspects include: Thomas Away, David Maye, Oyighan Nimibor, Beke Robinson, Gift Alex, Odiri Godwin, Felix James, Paul James and Eruwa Godfrey.

The rescue operation was carried out in conjunction with 19 Battalion, Koko Barracks, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion Lt-Col Frank Etim accused some communities, particularly Koko, Ajoloso, Obialegbe/Okogho in Warri North and Adeje in Okpe local governments of aiding and abetting crude oil theft across the region.

Five vehicles,including two trucks without registration plates, but with the inscription “CONOIL”, loaded with suspected petroleum products were impounded.

The suspects also admitted to engaging in pipeline vandalism and crude oil stealing across the riverine area.

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta yesterday announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the recent clash between two armed groups in Lorbia 1 community, in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State.

The clash left eight persons dead.

Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt-Col Onyeama Nwachukwu, told reporters in Yenagoa, the state capital, that the task force was committed to restoring peace and sanity to the region.

He said that operatives of the force had so far recovered two bodies from the creeks in addition to several items recovered during a search and rescue operation.

The JTF spokesman said: “Our troops were dispatched to Lobia 1 where an armed collision had reportedly occurred between two factions or groups; on arrival at the community, our troops promptly cordoned off and searched the community for possible culprits and arms.

“And in that operation our troops recovered two AK-47 riffles, six AK-47 magazines, general purpose machine gun barrels, 145 live rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition and one speed boat.

“Unspecified number of casualties was reported and at the moment two bodies have been recovered from the location.’’

Nwachukwu confirmed that the JTF had deployed troops to Azuzuama since May 5 as part of efforts to restore sanity in the area.