Oil theft: JTF arrests 76, impounds vessel

Men of the Joint Taskforce in the Niger Delta

THE Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, on Sunday, said it had arrested 76 suspected oil thieves and kidnappers in the region.

The security outfit, in a statement by its Media Coordinator, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said two suspected kidnap kingpins were among the suspects.

A combined team of Sector 3 of the JTF and the Department of State Security reportedly arrested the kingpins at their hideout in Afukang, Calabar South Local Government of Cross River State.

Prior to their arrest, the suspects identified as Edidiong Udom and Victor Akwang, Nwachukwu said, allegedly terrorised the state with their activities.

He added, “They have been handed over to the Department of State Security, Calabar for further investigation. One pump action gun, one locally made pistol, 22 cartridges and four 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the hideout.”

He noted that in another operation, troops of Sector 4 of theJTF rescued Mr. Chidi Nwosu, along Ngbodo and Akoli-Imeni Road in Bende Local Government of Abia State.

He said Nwosu was abducted on Arochukwu Street along Umuahia Road but was rescued by security operatives after a shootout with his abductors.

Security operatives, he said, killed one of the suspects, while two others were undergoing interrogations.

Nwachukwu said, “One AK 47 rifle, two magazines and 21 live rounds of7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the suspects’ hideout at Akoli Imenyi.”

Meanwhile, operatives of the 146 Battalion patrol team of Sector 2 of the JTF, he added, impounded a vessel, MT SHANDY, for engaging in suspected oil theft along Otokomabie creek in Rivers State.

He said the 12-man crew onboard the vessel initially resisted arrest.

According to Nwachukwu, eight of the crew members are currently been quizzed at the headquarters, Sector 2 in Port Harcourt to ascertain the degree of their culpability, while four others are in the vessel presently secured at the NPA Jetty in Bonny Island.

He added, “Troops of 343 Regiment of the same sector have also impounded a metal barge found lurking at an illegal oil loading point close to Burma Rice Farm between Brass and Obiama waterways in Brass Local Government of Bayelsa State.

“The barge has been towed to AGIP Brass terminal while preliminary investigations are being carried out to ascertain its owners.

“Operatives of the Forward Operational Base Formosso (a maritime component of the JTF) have also arrested a barge with the designation Lot-098 at Odioma waterways in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State.

“The barge was arrested laden with 50,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil. The barge is at the AGIP Brass terminal pending further investigation.”

PUNCH