The Chief of Training and Operation (CTOP) Defence Headquarters, Major General Ebibowei Awala has commended the Operation of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD in the Niger Delta for effective performance and determination to stamp out illegal oil bunkering and oil theft in Niger Delta.  General Awala made the assertion during an operational visit to the Opolo, Headquarters of the Joint Task Force he reaffirmed that illegal oil bunkering and other criminalities hinders the economy growth of Nigerian.

 According to him, oil sector in Nigeria is the major source of income revenue in Nigeria which must be protected by all means against economic saboteurs.  He commended the Commander JTF Major General Emmanuel Atewe and troops under him for their doggedness and determination in carrying out the mandate of the Joint Task Force professionally.

 Speaking to CEOAFRICA reporter, the Coordinator JMCC, Lieutenant Colonel MUSTAPHA ANKA said General Awala used the forum to call on troops to be good Ambassadors of their various arms by adhering strictly to the code of conduct of the JTF by carrying out their job in a professional manner. “You must desist from any act capable of tarnishing and undermining the activities of the task force.  Integrity should be your watch words.”  He assured the troops of the support of the Defence Headquarters through provision of adequate logistics equipment and welfare of personnel for effective policing of the water ways of the Niger Delta.

 While welcoming the CTOP to the Headquarters of the JTF.  The Commander Major General Emmanuel Atewe thanked General Awala for the visit which he said is a boast moral to troops under command.  He assured him of his determination to stamp out all form of illegalities in the Niger Delta especially in the area of oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.  The commander told the visiting CTOP that the JTF under his command has intercepted and arrested 17 vessels and 20 barges used for illegal oil bunkering activities, while illegal oil distillery camps were also destroyed in line with the mandate of the JTF.

 During the visit, the CTOP also paid a courtesy call on the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson at the Government House, Yenagoa.  Where he told the Governor that he is in the state to evaluate the operations of the JTF and thanked the Governor and the good people of Bayelsa State for the tremendous support and cooperation to JTF in the fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalization which he said exposes and endangers the health of the inhabitant of the area. “The ecosystem is being debased and destroyed by the act of these vandals”.

 The Governor in his response described General Awala as a diligent,   dedicated and committed gentleman officer who has served Nigeria Army with Honour and distinction.  “Your wealth of experience will be handy in the fight against oil theft and other sundry crimes in the region”.  He commended the JTF for an excellent Civil Military Relationship that exists between the Task Force and Bayelsa citizens. 

 The Governor also extols the activities of the Joint Task Force in Niger Delta under the commandship of Major General Emmanuel Atewe, describing the Task Force as bed rock for substance of Nigeria economy.  “The JTF under General Atewe has done very well in the area of fighting oil theft and other sundry crimes in the state.  He is carrying out the mandate of the Task Force in a professional manner”.  Concluded Governor Dickson.