Illegal bunkering: JTF arrests 172, destroys 362 illegal refineries

Operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), in the last two weeks of the new year, arrested 172 suspects allegedly involved in illegal refineries and illegal bunkering operations in parts of the Niger Delta.
The agency said the suspects had since been handed over to prosecuting agencies for litigation.
It also destroyed a total of 362 illegal refineries in parts of the region, including the destruction of seven vessels and three barges allegedly used in conveying stolen crude in Opobo river (Opobo/ Nkoro/Andoni local government) in Rivers State and Tomkiri, Brass council in Bayelsa State.
Spokesman of JTF,Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu,in a statement issued yesterday said the illegal local refineries destroyed were at Kolokolo and Bisigbo in Warri South local government,Delta State.
According to Nwachukwu the operatives also illegal refineries at Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw local government and Sangana ,Brass local government,all in Bayelsa State.
The JTF also impounded 75 local wooden boats (Cotonou boats) conveying stolen petroleum products at Ogbokodo creek and Ugbokolo in Warri West local government,Delta State.
The statement said the Commander of JTF,Maj. Gen. Bata Debiro .had unfolded his strategies in stamping out illegal oil bunkering in the coastal region.
Debiro affirmed that he would not sit in the office as a lame duck ,stressing that he had embarked on an appraisal tour of troops deployment which included the Naval Forward Operational Bases(FOB) Brass,(Bayelsa state) Bonny (Rivers)and Escravos(Delta ).
He said:”Nigeria is the only country where people engage in oil theft with the connivance of our country men. We must put an end to it.Oil theft is tantamount to economic sabotage and a threat to the economic security and future generations of Nigeria.”