The Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says on Tuesday, it has arrested four suspected oil thieves and an illegal oil bunkering vessel.
The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Mustapha Anka, said in a statement that eight suspected cultists also surrendered to the JTF.
Anka said the operatives of the JTF in collaboration with the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Oil and Gas Task Force intercepted and arrested the suspected oil thieves and the illegal barge in Bayelsa State.
He said the barge was loaded with unquantified substances suspected to be stolen crude oil along Igbematoru waterways of the Southern Ijaw LGA of the state.
“Four suspects on board the barge were also arrested and are undergoing preliminary investigation, while the barge is being anchored at Igbematoru House Boat for further action,” the JTF spokesman said.
Anka said in the Sector One General Area, the 222 and 3 Battalions operating along Tuomo and Chanomi West Communities in Burutu and Warri South Local Government Areas of Delta State discovered two illegal oil distillation camps.
He said therin the suspected oil thieves operated with Cotonou boats, 26 drums with 200-litre capacity containing illegally acquired crude oil, two ovens and other several illegal oil bunkering equipment.
He stated that the illegal sites and the equipment had been destroyed in line with the JTF’s mandate.
He added, “The JTF troops, following a tip-off, raided Ekraka village in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State and recovered two locally-made double barrelled guns loaded with live cartridges.
Anka said the suspects abandoned the weapons and fled on sighting the JTF troops, stressing that the recovered weapons had been taken to the custody of the JTF while efforts to apprehend the suspects were ongoing.
In another development, Anka said a cult leader, Mr. Solomon Owhondah, who was the alleged brain behind serial killings and destruction of properties worth millions of naira during community crisis in Ibaa community of Emuoha LGA of Rivers State had been arrested by the troops of the Sector Two.
He said the suspect was currently going through investigation to ascertain his level of his involvement before being handed over to the relevant prosecuting agency for prosecution.
He said the arrest of the prime cult suspect was coming on the heels of surrender of eight cultists on the wanted list in connection with Ibaa crisis to the JTF.
He added, ” The items recovered from the cultists were one police Berretta rifle, one double barrel gun, three locally-made pistols, eight Nokia phones, three empty magazines and four rounds of 7.62mm Special.
“The suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before they will be handed over to a relevant prosecuting agency for trial,” Anka said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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