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Tag: JTF

  • Security operatives search for Jonathan’s cousin

    Security operatives search for Jonathan’s cousin

    Security operatives in Bayelsa State are searching for 70-year-old Inengite Nitabai, the cousin of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Nitabai was kidnapped on Sunday by 10 men, who stormed his compound at Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area.

    Security agencies had been ordered to find Nitabai, who is said to be the President’s adopted father.

    It was gathered that gunboats of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the police had been deployed to the creeks of Ogbia and Nembe.

    The Commissioner of Police, Hilary Opara, said the security agencies were making efforts to find the victim.

    Opara was said to have been patrolling Otuoke since the incident occurred. He was sighted in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

    The police boss said gunboats had been stationed at the Onuebum waterside to patrol all nooks and crannies of the creeks.

    He said the police were also searching for some suspects, who ran away immediately they sighted the police.

    It was learnt that the police had patrolled Edebiri, Kiambiri, Anyama and Ogobiri creeks.

    But one of Nitabai’s children, Frank, said his father was kidnapped a day before a meeting on land dispute.

    He said the police were supposed to meet with Nitabai and other family members over a land dispute on Monday, a day after he was abducted.

    Frank expressed fears that his father’s kidnapping might be connected with the land dispute.

    He appealed to security operatives to also look in that direction.

    Frank said: “My father heard that some members of his family sold his land at Ogbia.

    “He reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police. The commissioner was supposed to meet with my father and other family members involved on Monday. Unfortunately, my father was abducted a day before the meeting.

    “I am appealing to the relevant authorities to also look at that aspect.”

    Opara said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the land dispute.

    “The other two suspects saw my men and ran away. We will get them,” he said.

  • Uneasy calm in Maiduguri

    Uneasy calm in Maiduguri

    •Shettima donates N100m to victims

    Residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have decried the recent killings in some parts of the state. They flayed the activities of officials of the Joint Task Force (JTF), who they alleged only respond after attacks.

    Some of the residents, however, said the management style of the military in the capital was commendable.

    They said it was disheartening to see their relatives, who escaped from the attacks in Gwoza, Bama, Konjuga and Damboa towns by Boko Haram insurgents in the last one month.

    A resident said: “My daughter and her friends had to trek through the bush all day and night to get to Maiduguri. That was how she and her friends escaped being captured as sex slaves. God, when will all this end? We are tired.”

    Many of them, however, refused to talk as they went about their business and looked at the reporter with suspicion.

    The recent death toll, which stood at 93 on Sunday as a result of Saturday’s Boko Haram attack on Izge town in Gwoza Local Government Area, rose by 40 as decomposed bodies were brought from surrounding bushes on Monday and Tuesday.

    There is fear that the toll could be higher as search operations were still ongoing.

    Sources said Izge, with a population of 10,000, was totally deserted as the residents have fled the area.

    Commissioner of Police Lawal Tanko could not say the exact number of casualties.

    The Borno State government donated yesterday N100 million to the victims of Saturday’s attack.

    Governor Kashim Shettima announced the donation while addressing some of the displaced persons in Sabon Gari, Madagali, in Adamawa State.

    “Our visit here is to sympathise with you. I want to assure you that we share your grief with you.

    “We have approved the release of N100 million to the victims to take care of immediate needs.

    “This is in addition to the previous N100 million approved for the victims of the recent attack in other parts of the local government,’’ the governor said.

  • How we rescued abducted Indians, by JTF

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday explained that the rescue operation in which three kidnapped Indians were freed in Rivers State was staged by a team of JTF, Navy and Department of State Security (DSS).

    JTF said it destroyed 41 illegal refineries and arrested 17 suspected oil thieves during raids along the creeks in the Niger Delta.

    JTF’s Media Coordinator Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that the Indians, identified as Kanishk Johrar, Mohinder Saini, and Balwinder Singh, were abducted by nine kidnappers.

    He said the victims were onboard a fishing trawler at Malabo when they were attacked by the gang, adding that the hoodlums brought them into the shores of Nigerian waters and demanded a $1million ransom.

    “The combined squad swung into action after trailing the abductors to their hideout at Abissa, a small fishing port in Akuku’ Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, arresting five suspects,” he said.

    He also said troops of 3, 19 and 195 battalions of Sector 1 squads destroyed 12 illegal refineries at Agbede forest, Obi-Ayagha and Otegele communities in Etsako West, Ughelli South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.

    During the clampdown, 28 Cotonu boats, 24 underground storage tanks containing about 70,000 litres of illegally distilled Automated Gas Oil (AGO), 547 steel drums, five surface tanks, 22 plastic tanks (with suspected illegally refined AGO), were seized.

    “Other items were five speed boats loaded with 150 drums of illegally refined AGO, 47 fabricated steel pots and 37 ovens for cooking illegally sourced crude oil.

    “Ten suspects are in the headquarters for further investigations”, he said.

    He said seven other suspects were arrested for pipeline vandalism and oil-related crimes, adding that four of them were nabbed for vandalising a Petroleum Product Marketing Company’s (PPMC’s) pipeline at Okuejeba.

    He said three were arrested along Chanomi Creek in Warri South West.

    The suspects, according to him, were in the custody of 3 and 19 battalions for preliminary investigation and would be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agencies.

     

  • How abducted Indians were rescued – JTF

    Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, on Tuesday explained that the rescue operation that freed three Indians from kidnappers’ den in Rivers State was staged by a combined crack team of its soldiers, the Nigerian Navy and the State Security Department (SSD).

    JTF also said that it destroyed 41 illegal refineries and arrested 17 suspected oil thieves after its operatives raided various creeks in the Niger Delta region.

    The Media Coordinator, JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that the Indian victims identified as Messrs Kanishk Johrar, Mohinder Saini, and Balwinder Singh were abducted by nine kidnappers.

    He said the victims were onboard a fishing trawler at Malabo when they were attacked by the gang.

    He said the hoodlums brought them into the shores of Nigerian waters and demanded a million dollar ransom.

    “The combined security squad swung into action after tracking the abductors to their hide out at Abissa, a small fishing port in Akuku’ Toru, Local Government Area of Rivers State, arresting five suspects while others are still on the run,” he said.

    In a separate development, he said troops of 3, 19 and 195 Battalions of Sector 1 squads of JTF uncovered and destroyed 12 illegal refineries at Agbede forest, Obi-Ayagha and Otegele communities in Etsako West, Ugheli South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.

    During the clampdown, he said the troops scuttled 28 Cotonu boats, 24 underground storage tanks containing about 70,000 litres of illegally distilled Automated Gas Oil (AGO), 547 steel drums, five surface tanks, 22 plastic tanks all filled with llegally refined AGO.

    “Other items discovered include five speed boats loaded with 150 drums of illegally refined AGO, 47 fabricated steel pots and 37 ovens used for cooking illegally sourced crude oil.

    “Ten suspects nabbed during the operation are currently in the headquarters for further investigations,” he said.

     

  • Why JTF can’t stop oil theft

    Why JTF can’t stop oil theft

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) has the mandate to end oil theft in the Niger Delta. Can it realise this mandate? The odds seem to be against it, writes Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    THE Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, is confronted with dearth of operational tools, decayed security hard wares and logistics deficiencies, Niger Delta Report has learnt.

    It was also gathered that the outfit whose new mandate is to eradicate economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, is fond of going cap in hand to oil multinationals and other wealthy stakeholders.

    “This outfit is seriously under-funded. We don’t have the requirements to fight endemic economic sabotage. We are simply scratching the surface,” a source, who craved anonymity for fear of victimisation, said.

    It was gathered that such deficiencies were the reason behind JTF’s inability to own houseboats and establish bases in areas notorious for oil theft in the region.

    It was also gathered that JTF is heavily indebted to some firms which loaned houseboats to the outfit in the past.

    The source disclosed that the handicap nature of the outfit compelled a Non-Governmental Organisations to come to its aide last year at Igbomotoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    “Igbomotoro is the hotbed of economic crime in the region. It has turned to a community business. I can tell you that almost everybody in the area is into the business of illegal bunkering and illicit refining of petroleum products. Because of the entrenched nature of this problem, JTF is supposed to establish a permanent base in the area.

    “But we don’t have a houseboat and the logistics to move to the area. That was why an NGO last year rented two houseboats for us. The NGO was sympathetic of our problems and gave us the two boats.

    “They also provided welfare for our troops who were deployed in the area. For over eight months, the NGO maintained the houseboats and our personnel”, he said.

    He, however, said trouble started when the NGO could no longer fund the operation.

    He said: “The NGO said it had no money to fund the operation any more. That was why the strategy collapsed. JTF could not take over the funding. The soldiers deployed in the houseboat became hungry for food and thirsty for water. The operation died and the soldiers were recalled. The NGO has also evacuated the houseboat.

    “During the operation, a lot of milestone was achieved. The area became calm. But immediately after the operation, the community folks returned to the illegal business in hundred folds”.

    The source who failed to name the NGO, explained that the intervention came during the reign of the immediate past JTF Commander, Major-General Bata Debiro adding that the operation contributed immensely to the success story of Debiro.

    It was learnt that the venomous return to illegal oil bunkering, illicit refineries and oil theft activities in Igbomotoro informed JTF to conduct special operations involving other security agencies in the area recently.

    The source decried the rot in the system and said most of the operational assets including gunboats were outdated and could no longer perform their roles.

    He said the few gunboats available in the fleet of the command were fond of breaking down and endangering the lives of soldiers during operations.

    “The operational vessels are inadequate. Some are in state of disrepair while others are outdated. They are always disappointing soldiers during operation.

    “Besides, going on patrol is always difficult and rare because of lack of logistics. Most times, JTF depends on oil companies to fuel their patrol boats.

    “They are just deceiving us. The government can’t be said to be fighting economic sabotage without equipping JTF. How can they fight this menace without acquiring houseboats and modern speedboats? How can they cope without establishing bases in notorious areas?

    “It is not possible. As l am talking to you, oil theft is well-entrenched. It is going on minute by minute. It has turned to the business of many communities. There is also regular compromise of standards among some people in uniforms.

    “The truth is that we cannot operate on water without platforms. It is even unfortunate that JTF is owing millions of Naira for platforms it hired for operations in the past. The operatives are also inadequate and those working are operating under harsh condition”.

    Debiro has while rendering his stewardship before his retirement acknowledge that the outfit was faced with many challenges.

    He said: “In spite of the difficult environment it operates, the JTF has recorded modest successes, although still confronted with a handful of challenges and constraints.

    “These challenges include inadequate maritime platforms, insufficient operational vehicles, lack of some essential kits, and insufficient manpower, among others.

    “The Task Force is, however, optimistic that most of these challenges will soon be addressed through the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Headquarters and the National Economic Council (NEC) Intervention Plan initiated by the President.

    “While the Task Force remains highly committed to achieving its mandate, its ability to operate optimally will no doubt be enhanced if some of the challenges confronting it are addressed.”

     

  • Oil theft: Civil defence prosecutes four suspects

    Oil theft: Civil defence prosecutes four suspects

    •Probes 14

    •Trains 230 officers

    The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said yesterday that it was prosecuting the four persons it arrested in the creeks for vandalism and oil theft.

    State Commandant Mr. Desmond Agu said of the 18 arrested by the command for oil theft and vandalism last year, four were on trial at the Federal High Court.

    Agu said over 230 officers were trained in arms handling and internal security at the 343 Artillery Regiment, Nigerian Army, Elele.

    He said 14 other suspects were under investigation and would be arraigned later.

    Agu said anybody nabbed for economic crime would be tried to act as a deterrent to others.

    According to him, the war against vandals received a boost last year after the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja allocated a patrol boat to the command.

    He said following the introduction of the boat, the command joined other security stakeholders, such as the Navy, Marine Police and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield, in patrolling the creeks.

    Agu said oil companies, such as Shell and Agip had engaged his anti-vandal unit to protect their pipelines.

    “This action has reduced the activities of vandals on our waterways and along the pipelines,” he added.

    He said over 30 operatives had been deployed in government infrastructure for patrol.

    The NSCDC commandant said the command had also maintained a 24-hour surveillance on the assets owned by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and telecommunications companies.

    Agu, who listed the achievements of the command, said: “In the area of peace and conflict resolution, NSCDC has intervened and resolved conflicts, ranging from communal to maternal crisis.

    He added: “Some of the cases are the Ikolo community in Yenagoa and Amasoma community in Southern Ijaw; Otuabula versus Ewoi community in Ogbia Local Government; funeral crisis in Ogbarasi, the Obanacle of Owema community in Ogbia and Olugbene and oil company.”

     

  • JTF lays siege to Bayelsa community

    Troops from the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, have laid siege to Igbomatoro, a community in Bayelsa State, notorious for oil theft in the Niger Delta.

    Investigations showed that illegal refineries dot the waterways of the community in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

    Besides, there is always movement of crude oil in barges, Cotonou boats and other smaller vessels along the highly-polluted waters of the community.

    JTF operatives were said to have begun a surveillance of the community on Sunday morning.

    The Police, Navy and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were said to have joined in the operation.

    Residents alleged that JTF arrived the community on nine gunboats and 15 speedboats.

    They said the soldiers were armed, accusing them of arresting, maiming and torturing innocent indigenes.

    According to a text message to our correspondent by a source in the community, who refused to mention his name, “JTF invaded Igbomatoru 1 and 2. They broke into people’s homes and forced youths to desert the place.

    “They arrived our community with nine gunboats and 15 speedboats, arresting, maiming and torturing innocent people. There is no offence to warrant this ugly incident.”

    But the JTF Media Coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the people were not happy because they wanted the task force to leave the area to enable them continue economic sabotage.

    Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the operation was carried out by the troops of 343 Regiment Sector 2 of the JTF after investigations showed that the community was a hub of economic sabotage.

    “Troops of 343 Regiment of Sector 2 of the JTF, in a renewed vigour to combat oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, have carried out a cordon-and-search operation in Igbematoru community.

    “The combined troops of 343 Regiment, Nigeria Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps carried out the search on the hideouts of identified suspected oil bunkers .

    “The operation was informed by the disturbing fact that Igbematoru has been high on the graph of occurrences of oil bunkering, necessitating the operation.”

    Confirming that the operation was executed, the spokesman said it yielded positive results.

    According to him, the troops recovered the tools used for bunkering, such as 103 pumping machines, 32 hoses of various lengths and diameters, 17 hard saw machines and eight adjustable spanners.

     

  • ‘Don’t be friends of oil thieves’

    ‘Don’t be friends of oil thieves’

    The Army has warned its men attached to Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, against being friends of oil thieves operating in the Niger Delta.

    It said efforts to tackle oil thieves have led to increased production capacity of oil companies.

    The outgoing Commander of the JTF, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro, who spoke during a farewell visit to the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army yesterday, said President Goodluck Jonathan was worried about the activities of oil thieves.

    Debiro said most of the over 1,500 illegal refineries destroyed last year were located in Bayelsa, Delta and River states.

    He hailed the soldiers for being diligent, but urged them to show compassion, interest and passion towards fighting criminals.

    Said he: “The money from vandals will not take you anywhere. Don’t make friends with pipeline vandals. It is nonsense. Have interest in fighting these oil thieves. The oil is not for them to steal in connivance with foreigners.

    “Your effort has brought peace to the region. We should reduce oil stealing to the minimum if not stop it. Nobody will call you from Abuja to release any oil criminal. Work with the instruction given to you. Nobody will demand bribe from you.”

    Debiro added that the Army would not relent in its effort to tackle oil theft in the Niger Delta.

  • Police: we’re not under pressure to release suspects

    Rivers State Police Command yesterday denied receiving an order from anywhere to release the six persons held over alleged gun-running.

    The command made the denial in Port Harcourt.

    The suspects: Sunday Elisha, Uche Jenikachi, Ibinabo Lawson, Okechukwu Okoro, Jerry Tonye and Daniel Ibito-Anga were arrested last Friday at Ogu, the headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government, during a routine patrol in the area by men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and handed over to the police.

    The suspects were alleged to be political aides to the lawmaker representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Sekibo Thompson and the member representing Ogu/Bolo in the House of Assembly and the self-acclaimed Speaker, Evans Bipi.

    It was widely reported in the media yesterday that Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu had received an order, apparently from the seat of power (Abuja), to release the suspects.

    But police spokesman Ahmad Mohammad said there was no such order to release the suspects, describing it as baseless, misleading and mischievous.

  • Bomb manufacturer arrested in Jigawa

    Bomb manufacturer arrested in Jigawa

    Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) from the 3rd Brigade Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State have arrested a terrorist, suspected to be bomb manufacturer in Kazaure after a gun battle in a residence.
     In a statement, the spokesman of the JTF, Captain Ikedichi Iweha  disclosed that one terrorist was apprehended after a gun battle; while three women and three toddlers were rescued unhurt.
    At the end of operations, Ikedichi said five AK 47 rifles, five magazines, and 333 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and various improvised explosive devices were recovered from the residence after an intensive search.
    According to Captain Iweha, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is an Improvised Explosive Devices manufacturer and his residence is used as a staging ground for terrorist activities in Kano.
    ‘’You may recollect that the JTF had earlier alerted members of the general public of fleeing terrorists from major theatres of operation in the North east axis of the country to ‘cooler ‘ areas due to pressure being mounted on them by the on-going military operations in these areas’’
    ‘’Members of the general public are once again enjoined to continue complimenting the efforts of the JTF by carrying out thorough checks on the background of persons who wish to rent properties, especially in cool zones or at the outskirt areas of major towns, adding that the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Kano would not allow its area of operational responsibility to be used as haven for terrorists.’’
    ‘’The appeals of the JTF will continue to be complimented with the destruction of properties, where terrorists reside in and the arrests of their owners, emphasizing the  that the efforst of the JTF would not be successful without the cooperation of the residents.’’
     The spokesman  therefore urged  all residents not to relent in the fight against terrorists, who are seeking refuge by reporting any suspicious persons, regardless of gender for immediate action to prevent the loss of lives and properties.

    Also, the Captain Iweha enjoined members of the general public to go about their normal lawful businesses without any fear and to contact the JTF through its telephone numbers in the event of any distress for rapid response.