The Niger Delta Military Joint Task Force (JTF), code named ‘Operation Restore Hope’ has? announced the arrest of over 50 persons in the three operational zones of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states over alleged cases of oil bunkering and operation of illegal refineries in the region.
The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, who disclosed this yesterday, said? the arrests were made within time limits of operation and war against illegal oil bunkering in the region and those arrested had been handed over to the Police for prosecution.
He added that the JTF would not relent in its efforts to protect facilities of oil companies in the region, saying? that the end of militancy had led to increased cases of oil bunkering and unlawful refining of petroleum products.
Antigha said operatives of the outfit arrested the 14 persons at Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of the state following a tip-off.
He noted that the suspects were arrested with generators and other equipment they used in siphoning stolen crude oil and adulterated petroleum products.
He named some of the persons arrested during the raid as Monday Friday, Jeremaiah Festus, Alabwe Asina, Ibianga Owei and Secondi Africanus.
He said other nine suspects were apprehended because they were found at the scene of the crime.
He said, “They were involved in illegal oil bunkering. They will buy residues of poorly refined adulterated petroleum product from the market.
They use some equipment to siphon stolen crude oil and also siphon illegally refined products.”
According to him, after investigations the suspects will be handed over to the police for prosecution stressing that those not linked to the crime will? be warned and released.
He said, “When we hand them over to the police, we expect that they (Police) will be diligent in their work and prosecute them.”
He disclosed that 500 illegal refineries had been destroyed by JTF in different states in the region adding that Mbiama, a border community between Bayelsa and Rivers state accounted for most of such refineries.