In a press released  signed by  JMCC coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel MUSTAPHA  ANKA  which  was   made available to CEOAFRICA news desk states that “ the operatives of the anti-illegal oil bunkering squad of sector 1 of the Joint Task Force Operation PULO SHIELD has raided and destroyed illegal oil bunkering site at Okpoko Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta where oil thieves operated with 9 Cotonou boats loaded with stolen crude oil, 7 speed boats loaded with 75 jerricans containing illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 5 pumping machines.  Five suspects were arrested and are in custody of the command for preliminary investigations before handing over to the prosecuting agency.

 Meanwhile, troops of the JTF patrolling along Robot creek in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have repelled an attack by sea pirates.  The assailants numbering over 30 came in two speed boats carrying AK 47 assault rifles and opened fire on the troops which was repelled.  During the exchanged of fire, three of the pirates were killed while a soldier and 2 boat operators were injured.

 In a similar operation carried out in the sector 2 of the JTF, troops deployed at Patrick Water Side and Opobo Creek in Rivers State while on patrol intercepted and destroyed a wooden boat at Bodo water ways filled with substance suspected to be stolen crude oil.  Also at Baragbene community in southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, troops destroyed four wooden boats filled with crude oil and illegally refined AGO.  Two dumps were also destroyed and burnt in Situ along side one apprehended as Cotonou boat.

  The JTF troops deployed along Elele axis of Rivers State intercepted a truck loaded with unquantified liters of crude oil suspected to be stolen. Njb,mm   The driver escaped on sighting the troops.  The truck was towed to a safe place and set ablaze.  Another vehicle was also intercepted along Sapele Warri express road close to Okover community in Okpe LGA of Delta state convening 85 Jerricans loaded with products suspected to be illegal refined AGO.  The driver and other occupants fled on sighting troops, while the vehicle and the products were destroyed.   The JMCC coordinator called on the stakeholders and the members of the public to see the war against oil theft as a collective war that Nigeria as a nation must win. He said “the present management team of JTF sees the public as a major key to our success in the fight against oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.”