In a press released signed by JMCC Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel MUSTAPHA ANKA which was made available to CEOAFRICA news desk, states that the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation PULO SHIELD had recorded series of success in her operational activities.  This is in bid to uphold Zero Tolerance to illegal oil bunkering and other sundry crimes in the Niger Delta region. Consequently, troops of the JTF while on patrol discovered an illegal oil refinery at Egbokodo Itshekiri general area in Warri South West local Government Area of Delta State. Items recovered 3 locally made boats, one pumping machine and a water hose.  All the items were destroyed in situ.  Also discovered were a speed boat and 16 Cotonou boats containing suspected stolen crude oil at Okpogbene Egwa general area in Warri South West local Government Area of Delta state. In a relative development, the JTF troops on pipeline patrol at Ijomu, Ethiope East local Government Area of Delta State sighted 3 men with a sack in the bush. The men abandoned the sack on sighting the JTF troops. The troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 magazines loaded with 48 rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition Special. Meanwhile efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects.

 Similarly, a house suspected to be used for storing illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) at Oghareki waterside in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State was discovered by the JTF troops.  During the operation troops arrested one Mr Daniel Marvellous with 4 x 501 jerrycans filled with suspected illegally refined AGO.  The JTF also accosted a white tanker with registration number XC 171 AJI which was filled with suspected illegally refined AGO along Patani – Warri East West Road.

 It was gathered that the truck was used to illegally siphon crude oil from NPDC pipelines at Oghara – Iyede in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta state.  However no arrest was made as the driver abandoned the truck on sighting troops.

 The JTF following a tip off raided an illegal oil refinery at Egbokodo in Warri South Local government Area of Delta state.  Items recovered include 5 Cotonou boats, 17 Geepee tanks, 153 drums filled with suspected illegally refined AGO and stolen crude oil as well as other illegal oil bunkering items such as 3 valves insertion points connected with hoses by the suspected oil thieves.  The JTF also discovered an abandoned fuel tanker with registration number XM 784 FST loaded with suspected stolen crude oil around Redeemed Christian Church of God, off Sapele road Benin City.  The driver escaped on sighting the JTF troops.

 During the period the JTF troops also discovered 6 illegal refineries at Agbede and Aviele in Estsako local Government Areas of Edo State.  The refineries were destroyed in situ. In parity, JTF responsible for the protection of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines in conjunction with NNPC staff at Abudu discovered 2 trucks filled with illegally refined products at Oben community area of Edo State. The trucks were also destroyed instantly.

 The JTF also in conjunction with Agbara-Oto Vigilante Group arrested 3 suspected kidnappers namely, Messrs Godspower Segun, Samuel Sunday at Omavovwe Agbarho community in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta state.  An unregistered Nissan salon car was recovered from the suspects.  The suspects and vehicle were handed over to the Police at Agbarho Oto for further action.  Similarly, the JTF arrested a suspect Mr Pearce Oyikobat at Okpara Inland in Ethiope East local Government Area of Delta state. The suspect has been on the run as he was alleged to be the armourer of a notorious kidnapping Kingpin Mr Kelvin Ibruvwe who has since been arrested.

 As part of the operational achievements troops foiled an attempt by a group of suspected kidnappers to abduct a woman at Eko in Ethiope East local Government Area of Delta state.  This was as a result of a distress call which was intervened in conjunction with the Nigeria Police to rescue the victim unhurt.  The rescue operation witnessed was a gun duel that claimed life of a suspect while others escaped.  Items recovered include one berretta pistol, a locally made short barrel gun and a mask.  The corpse of the suspect and recovered items were handed over to the Police at Isiokolo in Ethiope East local Government Area of Delta state.  Similarly, the JTF on a tip off rescued a staff of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Mr Johnson Erewa from being kidnapped.  Suspects that attempted the kidnap were handed over to the Nigeria Police.

 Recently, JTF troops carried out cordon and search operation at Otuogbene community, Southern Ijaw local Government Area of Bayelsa State.  A total of  92 pumping machines, 3 speed boats, 5 canoes, 15 hoses, 15 tarpaulins, 2 saw machines, 5 welding machines coils, 3 welding electrodes, 100 jerrycans containing illegally refined AGO amongst others were discovered and destroyed in situ in line with JTF mandate.  

 The JMCC Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel MUSTAPHA ANKA used the opportunity to thank members of the public for their support and collaboration with the present management team of JTF under the able leadership of Major General Emmanuel Atewe which is propelling the management team  towards upholding Zero Tolerance to illegal oil bunkering and other sundry crimes in the Niger Delta region.