Troop of the OperationPULO SHIELD in Niger Delta have arrested an illegal oil bunkering tugboat and recovered more arms from criminals.

This was made known by the commander of the force, General Alani Okunlola while displaying the recovered items to journalists in Bayelsa.

Okunlola maintained that the command is determined with vigour to overcome in the war against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities affecting the socio–economic development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.

“We are here to keep you up to speed with our recent successes in the fight against shady businesses in the Niger Delta, the most recent being the interception and arrest of an illegal bunkering tug boat christened *MV EBIMORE* on November 19, 2015 with seven crew men on board along Ogbe Ijoh,

Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

The boat at the time of the arrest was laden with 50 metric tons of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).  The boat and the arrested suspects are in custody of the Maritime Component, NNS DELTA for preliminary investigation.

“Troops also recovered four AK 47 assault rifles, three pump action rifles and 566 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition on November 21 and 23, 2015. The recovery of the arms and ammunition in Asa result of intensive patrol at Mansonkri fishing camp and Southern Ijaw creek in Nembe and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State by troops of Operation PULO SHIELD as part of a rigorous and aggressive Zero

Tolerance Campaign against illegalities in the area.

“Other items recovered include one cartridge carrier, a pair of combat boots, three waist belts and three NA Infantry line yards, one speed boat, two jungle hats, eight pump action cartridges and various types of Military badges of ranks. During the Operation, one suspect was arrested while efforts are in top gear to arrest other fleeing suspects,” he said.

He added that in a similar development, troops, while patrolling along Bonny waterways on December 1, 2015 intercepted and arrested two illegal oil bunkering metal barges and seven wooden barges laden with suspected stolen crude oil and a Tug boat.

“Six suspects on board the barge were also arrested along with five speed boats.  The barges boats and the suspects are in custody of Operation PULO SHIELD for preliminary investigation before handing them over to prosecuting agency. Equally on December 3, 2015, following a tip off, our

troops while on patrol arrested five suspected political thugs in their hideout at Okaka Yenagoa  Bayelsa State. They were arrested while in possession of one36 hand grenade, two empty AK 47 Rifle Magazines, a pair of military uniform, combat boot and a bag containing personal belongings,” he added.