Expdonaloaded News; JTF arrests 18 oil thieves, destroys 31 illegal refineries

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Opera­tion Pulo Shield arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 31 illegal oil refineries in different raids last month.
The information was contained in a statement issued by Media Coordina­tor of the JTF in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Lt. Col. Isa Ado, yesterday.

It stated that JTF troops deployed in Iguododo community and Chanomi Escravos in Orhionmwon and Warri South West local government areas of Edo and Delta states respec­tively destroyed 15 illegal oil-refining camps.
The statement said the suspects operated with four Cotonou boats, seven plas­tic reservoirs, 34 drums and 21 surface tanks filled with illegally refined automated gas oil.
It stated that other items discovered and destroyed were 21 ovens and eight pumping machines.
The statement said the suspects fled on sighting the troops.
“The squad also arrested 16 suspects for other crimi­nal offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, sea piracy, cultism and pipeline vandalism.
“Items recovered from them include locally made gun with live rounds of ammunition and axe. The suspects are in custody of the JTF for preliminary in­vestigation before handing them over to prosecuting agency,” it stated.
The statement said troops deployed at Ughelli in Del­ta following a distress call from Afiesere community arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect with a lo­cally made short gun and three live cartridges.
According to the Expdonaloaded blog, the suspect, his gun and cartridges were handed over to the prosecuting agency while a stolen mo­torcycle recovered from him was handed over to the owner.