The Joint Task Force in Niger the Delta codenamed “Operation Pulo Shield” on Sunday said it had arrested six suspected oil thieves and destroyed 56 illegal refineries.
Notice of the arrest was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by the JTF Media Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel, Onyema Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu said the suspects were arrested at a recent anti-oil theft operation near Escravos in Delta State.
According to him, the group procures illegally refined petroleum products from the Niger Delta for sale abroad.
He added that the gang, made up of six Nigerians and one citizen of the Republic of Benin, was being interrogated at the JTF Headquarters in Yenagoa.
Nwachukwu said that a locally made boat containing 11 large plastic reservoirs and a speed boat were recovered from the suspects.
He said seven suspects operating illegal oil distillation sites were also arrested by the JTF in another operation, where 16 illegal oil distillation camps were destroyed.
Also destroyed, he said, were seven illegal distillation sites in Moboko, Irhado, Agbekudo and Obodo camp all in Delta State.
He noted that some of the sites were located at Ajeosoho, Sapele Water Side and Omere in Ethiope West, Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas.
According to him, operatives of the Operation Pulo Shield also arrested seven suspects for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering in Bayelsa State.
The suspects were arrested on board a Barge, MB LILLY, which was intercepted by JTF operatives along the Akassa creek.
Also in Bayelsa State, he said, the Gun Boat Company of JTF deployed to Gbaram, Azagbene and Izetu in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas uncovered and dismantled 40 illegal oil refineries.
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