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Tag: Operation Delta Safe (ODS)

  • JTF denies oilfield attack as IYC condemns action

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe (ODS) has denied attack on oilfield operated by Conoil in Koluama, Delta State.

    JTF’s spokesman, Major Abdullahi Abubakar, in a brief message dismissed the attack as a hoax.

    He said: “That issue you asked about is a hoax. No incident of that nature there”.

    But the Ijaw Youths Council (JTF) worldwide condemned the attack saying it would compound the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.

    The Secretary-General, IYC, Mr. Alfred kemepado frowned at the incident and appealed to youths to embrace peace despite any provocation.

    He however said the Federal Government and her allies should be held responsible for the unending reactions from the region.

    He said the issues of environment, underdevelopment and deliberate neglect of the Niger Delta were still issues begging for attention.

    Kemepado said he expected that sincere attention should be given to people of the region by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    “Instead even the NDDC that used to work a bit has been totally politicised under this administration.

    “The issues of violence all over the world cannot be dissociated with unemployment and the lack of sufficient education.

    “The federal government and multinational companies operating within the region must come up with sustainable policies to deliberately employ more of our indigenous people at all levels of employment and also qualify them for such jobs”.

    He said companies were advised to tweak their corporate social responsibility budgets to accommodate the education of more indigenous people at home and abroad.

    He also called on the Bayelsa State governor and other governors to help hold these companies operating in the region surreptitiously to account.

     

  • 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

  • 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.

  • JTF to hold surveillance contractors responsible for breached pipelines

    The Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, has vowed to hold pipeline surveillance contractors responsible for any breach of trunklines within their domains.

    Apochi, who was visibly angry at the ongoing attacks on pipelines despite the presence of surveillance contractors, said any of them caught napping at their Areas of Responsibility would not escape the wrath of the outfit.

    Speaking to the contractors and representatives of oil companies in an emergency meeting at the ODS headquarters, Yenagoa, Apochi urged the contractors to be proactive in carrying out their functions.

    Apochi further warned oil companies to monitor and repair any of their aged pipelines adding that the mandate of ODS was centered on the protection of oil and gas Installations prevent/deter criminalities among others.

    In the meeting that lasted several hours, the commander dwelt on cooperation between pipeline workers and pipeline maintenance groups; issues of breakage of pipeline within contractors’ areas of responsibilities and liabilities of surveillance contractors.

    He said:  “It has been revealed that some of their workers connive with criminals to commit vandalism therefore, a detailed knowledge of your workers is as important as the responsibility of protecting these critical national assets”.

    He appealed to oil companies to closely monitor the activities of their contractors  adding that firms, whose employees were found wanting, would be held accountable for any breached pipelines.

    He asked the host communities to work closely with surveillance contractors in the protection of pipelines in their environment.

    He said: “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the interest of communities as entered into by oil companies in the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU).

    “No community should take law into its hands by blocking the operations of oil companies. Communities must not harbour criminals who fled scene of crime to hide communities”.

    Apochi said the essence of the meeting was for all stakeholders in the oil and gas business to forge a common front in the protection of national assets at their domains.

    “There must be clear courts identification of those not doing their duties from criminally minded elements.  We must draw a line between sincerity and pretence here.

    “Troops of Operation Delta Safe are here to protect those installations and not to witch-hunt anybody or group of people. Hence criminals must be identified to face the wrath of the law”, be said.

    Responding, some of the surveillance contractors thanked the commander for the meeting which they observed held last in 2003.

    They, however, requested oil companies to provide the necessary equipment to enable them effectively perform their functions.

    They further noted that some companies reneged on their obligations in GMoU adding that some oil firms were fueling crisis in communities through their tactics of divide and rule.

    But, they promised to work closely with Joint Task Force to ensure sanity of pipelines in the region.

    Present at the meeting were representatives of Bayelsa State Government officials of oil and gas, security agencies, surveillance contractors and representative of International oil companies.

  • Troops recover cache of arms, ammunition in N’Delta

    Troops recover cache of arms, ammunition in N’Delta

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), have arrested 10 suspected militants terrorizing various creeks in the Niger Delta region.

    The troops were said to have intercepted and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in one of their operations in Cross River State, that led to the arrest of the militants.

    The new Commander, ODS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, said that in the Cross River operation, troops of Sector 4 acting promptly on a tip-off  intercepted a gang of militants robbing innocent traders around Ikang axis.

    The victims were said to be conveying bags of rice from Cameroon in wooden boats when two flying boats of militants armed with sophisticated weapons ambushed them.

    But the troops reportedly stormed the area, isolated the eight-man gang of militants and engaged them in a gun battle that lasted over 15 minutes.

    While seven of the militants were said to have escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds, one of the hoodlums identified as Mr. Kingsley Effiong Essien, was arrested.

    It was gathered that a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) was mounted in one of the flying boats used by the militants.

    Suleiman listed items, arms and ammunition recovered from the militants as two speed boats, two General Purpose Machine Gun, 200 Horsepower boat Engine (HP), two 150 Horsepower boat Engine, one 75 HP Engine boat and one small wooden boat mounted with 9.9 HP Engine.

    Others are three AK47 magazines, 306 rounds of GPMG 7.62 millimeter (mm), Browning  Machine Gun (BMG) ammunition, one round of 12.7 millimeter BMG feeding tray, three empty ammunition boxes, one dagger knife, empty cases and links.

    Also recovered were six touch light, seven tins of magi, two school bags, three tecno handsets, one Nokia handset, two Etisalat sim cards, two Airtel lines, one memory cards and charms.

    Four military camouflage jackets, one Nigerian Navy head warmer, Camel bag (water bottle), four big raps of Indian hemp, packets of condoms and 12.7 millimeters BMG rounds and accessories, were further seized from the militants.

    It was further learnt that the troops raided militant shrine at Ube Okobo in Akwa Ibom State owned by a notorious militant leader.

    Though the militant leader was said to be on the run, the troops arrested six fleeing suspected militants.

    Also, troops raided militant camp at Bilabiri community following a tip-off and nabbed four suspected militant.

    Suleiman said since he assumed the command of ODS on November 16, his determination to sustain and improve on the pace introduced by his predecessor, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, yielded successes.

    He said the ODS would continue to live up to its mandates of protecting oil and gas infrastructure and preventing militancy, sea robber, crude oil theft and other forms of criminal activities in Bayelsa, Rivers, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states.

    “ODS is primarily here to protect and preserve national oil and gas installations.  But I must also warn that criminals will have no hiding place in the region.  Few disgruntled elements will no longer be allowed to hold this nation to ransom”, he said.

    He said the security and economic challenges in the country required concerted efforts of everybody including the press.

    He appealed to the journalists not to fall into the traps of helping the militants and other criminals to propagate their nefarious activities.

    Suleiman insisted that the media had a major role to play in the war against militancy following their closeness to members of the public.

    He also thanked members of the public for their cooperation in providing timely information to the troops and assured them of their safety.

    “Operation Delta Safe will continue to ensure the sanity of the Niger Delta region even in this Yuletide season”, he said.

  • Bush burning caused pipeline explosion in Delta – JTF

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), said Monday that the recent pipeline explosion that occurred around Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli, Delta State, was caused by bush burning.

    Clarifying the incident, JTF’s Deputy Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Lt. Com. Thomas Otuji, said heat from the bush burning ruptured the pipeline belonging to Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).

    Otuji asked members of the public to disregard a statement from a militant group, Greenland Justice Mandate (GJM), which claimed responsibility for the incident.

    He said: “There was no attack on the pipeline. What happened was that bush burning ignited an old pipeline”.

    The pipeline, which was said to be a few meters away from Otorogu Gas Plant, a multimillion naira project,  exploded and went up in flames at about 6.40am on Sunday.

  • 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 intensify operations to flush out N’Delta militants

    Troops have been massively deployed in the creeks of the Niger Delta region to hunt down militants disturbing the peace of the region and bombing oil installations despite ongoing dialogue.

    It was gathered that the deployment was made by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), following concerns that militants were still attacking oil pipelines in spite of peace talks between stakeholders of the region and the Federal Government.

    The troops, it was learnt, were asked to identify and dismantle all the active militant camps used as operational bases by the hoodlums.

    They were also directed to patrol the creeks, monitor vessels on the waterways and conduct stop-and-search operations on suspicious speedboats.

    At one of the creeks identified as Sand-Sand Fishing Camp in Nembe, it was gathered that the troops came in contact with unrepentant members of a militant group who were making efforts to activate a dismantled militant camp.

    A source from the ODS who spoke in confidence said the militants were trying to reactivate the camp to use it as a satellite base to constantly attack oil facilities located at the Nembe-Brass waterways.

    He said the troops after gathering enough intelligence burst the camp and in the process confronted the militants in gun battle.

    “It was not an easy operation because the militants were armed to the teeth. But we overpowered them and killed one of their leaders, popularly known as Edoboy. We are still pursuing others who fled into the creeks”, he said.

    The source further added that most of the fleeing militants were fond of running into communities to make the operations of the troops difficult.

    “They run into the communities whenever they are being pursued and mix up making it difficult to identify them. The communities are always afraid to identify them and most times, these hoodlums use them to make statements accusing JTF of violating their human rights.

    “We are very professional and will not engage in any action or conduct that will drag the name of the military in the mud”, he said.

    But the indigenes of the Sand-Sand community claimed that the troops invaded their community under the guise of looking for militants.

    They accused the military of destroying scores of houses, churches and schools during the incident.

    One of the indigenes, Chief Dede Francis, claimed that residents deserted the community alleging that displaced persons were suffering in bushes and neighbouring communities.

    “We tried talking to them but it was futile. After hours of intimidation, they told us that some suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers were chased into our community. They claimed there were exchanges of gun fire with their personnel by the suspected Avengers from the community.

    “The invasion and search however left buildings, schools and churches destroyed‎. Only a school building was left standing. We are shocked. The so-called Avengers did not enter our community”, he said.

    But the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of the ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, faulted the claims of Francis describing it as a big lie.

    He said the true position of the operation at the Sand-Sand community, had been widely reported by the media.

    He added that militants and persons, who were making bloody capital from the activities of hoodlums, were behind the claims that troops invaded the community and destroyed houses and churches.

    Referring to a statement earlier issued on the operation by ODS, Olaolu said: “Troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.

    “The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’.

    He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”.

    Also,a Nembe Chief, Wilfred Ogbotobo, asked the ODS to do everything professionally possible to flush out militants from the Niger Delta creeks.

    According to him criminals should not be pampered and any dialogue with militants amount to treating a full-blown criminality with kid gloves.

    He said: “With the quantum of weighty challenges confronting the nation at the moment, the Buhari administration does not have the luxury of time and resources for hopeless, hypocritical frolics with every lunatic group that springs from the creeks and other parts of the Niger Delta.

    “Instead, the federal government should consolidate the successes so far recorded and expand the overall capacity of the Operation Crocodile Smile to restore law and order in the region, for the government to fast track meaningful developmental measures immediately”.

     

  • Troops clash with militants, pirates in Niger Delta creeks

    Troops clash with militants, pirates in Niger Delta creeks

    …Two dead; fake soldier arrested 

              

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) have clashed with militants believed to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers in the creeks of Delta State.

    The troops of Sector 1 of ODS were said to have encountered the militants and engaged them in a gun duel at the Batan-Egwa creeks in Warri South-west Local Government Area of the state.

    The operatives were reportedly deployed in an outpost of the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to protect the facilities of the firm when they saw two 200 horsepower boats conveying the militants.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, confirmed the encounter in a statement in Yenagoa but said the troops repelled the militants.

    “They came in 200 horsepower speed capacity boats but were subsequently engaged and repelled. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the criminals”, he said.

    He, however, added: “Troops at Batan reported a loud sound suspected to be an explosion.  Further findings revealed that a barge carrying equipment used for the repairs of the Trans Forcados Pipeline at the repair site in Eweregbene community was blown by suspected Niger Delta Avengers militants who retreated after troops repelled the attack.  

    “However, two unexploded dynamites found at the scene on a branch and swamp buggy were successfully detonated by our troops”.

     Olaolu also disclosed that troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.

    “The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’.  He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”, he said.

     He said the troops also engaged another group of suspected sea robbers at creeks close to Lobia community in Bayelsa.

    He said: “One suspect popularly known as “Stainless Gobo” was killed while others escaped with various degrees of injuries towards Lobia Community.  

    “The killed suspected sea robber is believed to be affiliated to a wanted militant called “VIP”. One AK 47, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62milimeter special, 10 empty cases, seven charms, two head warmers and a cutlass were recovered from the scene”.

    The spokesman said a passenger boat was rescued from sea robbers at Idoro River in Ozobo Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.  

    He said while trying to escape, the sea robbers’ vessel collided with the passenger boat and capsized adding that four of the suspects were nabbed.

    He said troops were making efforts to recover four locally-made double-barrel guns belonging to the suspects from the river while the arrested suspects were being quizzed.

     Olaolu further said that a wooden boat conveying 53 drums of illegally-refined petroleum product were intercepted at Asugbo Tibigbene and Beneth River Warri South Local Government.

    The spokesman confirmed that one Vincent Moses and Emuotu Godbless Oghenechonuohwo were arrested with a white coloured Toyota Hiace bus conveying ten plastic drums with 220 litre capacity each and 19 jerrycans of suspected Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

    They were arrested along Okwagbe – Ughelli road and handed over to the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

     Olaolu also confirmed that one Usman Jafar, 21-year-old indigene of Adamawa State was arrested for parading himself as a serving soldier.  

    Jafar, who was alleged to have robbed one Atima Aghogho along Ajanuga road had in possession a fake Nigerian Army Identity Card, one First Bank of Nigeria ATM Card and an iphone belonging to one of his victims.

     The spokesman further said that following a tip off, troops in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force conducted a raid at Ifieporo community in Warri South Local Government and discovered an area used as dump site and piling up place of products before being loaded into trucks.  

    He said: “Other items discovered are several rubber drums and Jerricans containing substance suspected to be illegal oil bunkering mats. Troops also recovered a black coloured Audi vehicles loaded with several water proof bags containing substance suspected to be products of illegal bunkering. 

     “Following another tip off troops discovered 4 identified hideouts used for storing substance suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil around Ohoro junction, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.  No arrests were made while troops are on the trail of the perpetrators.

     “Earlier on today, the troops arrested one Mr Victor Bassey, alleged bugler while on routine check.  Items recovered include:  One Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Naira (N136,000:00) only, one Ifinix Note II handset, one venue handset.  Items and suspect will be handed over to the Nigeria Police”.

     On the mop-up operation at Cross River South, the spoeksman said that troops conducted anti-militancy patrol around Ekpirikan, Maternity and Idebe axis of Bakassi Local Government Area.

    “One suspected militant known as John Ita was arrested based on tip off in his residence at Idebe in Bakassi.  A car and motorcycle were recovered from him.

    “Similarly, troops deployed at Ikang located an illegal assembly of suspected members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State. 

    “They were distributing flyers, leaflets, tea-shirts, food items and other materials in order to lure and mobilize members at Epiri – Ikang axis. The intention was to hold a meeting on how to mobilize and influence people in support of IPOB.  

    “The suspects,Comrade Prince Obuka (National President Biafra Nation Youth League), Mr Slvanus Uzor and Mrs Ada Emechetta were subsequently arrested along Ikang – Cameroun border.

    “It should be noted that the Acting Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe reiterates that any illegal assembly to propagate Biafra or any such group will not be tolerated or condoned.  

    “Furthermore, he expresses his appreciation to the people of the region for their continued support and co operation”.