JTF Dismantles Militant Camp, Shuts Down 59 Illegal Refineries In Niger Delta

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield made it known on Sunday that it had dismantled a militant camp in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River. 

The force said it also destroyed 59 illegal refineries, seized 4 vessels and arrested 7 suspects.
According to the statement by by the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, various arms, including 24 x 7.62mm round cartons, five Browning Machine Gun, ammunition, 3 x 7.62mm round special and seven live cartridges, were recovered from the camp.Some other items were also recovered from the camp: four machine gun belts and one passport fibre boat, belonging to the Inland Water Ways Agency.
As it was stated by Nwachukwu, the camp known in local parlance as ‘Efut Esighi Militant Camp, served as operational base for pirates and militants from where they attacked their victims.

“JTF operatives destroyed three illegal crude oil distillation camps concealed in a forest at Agbede village and Egwua 2 general area of Esako West and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Edo and Delta States,” he said.

In a similar operation conducted in Bayelsa and Rivers sectors, JTF troops shut down 56 illegal crude oil distillation camps.

The troops destroyed 16 Cotonou boats, 22 pumping machines, a power generator, 25 zinc plates used for fabricating local crude oil distillers, a welding machine and 32 sawed pipes used by oil thieves.

The troops also impounded four metal barges and a speed boat caught engaging in illegal oil bunkering activities in the operation which took place between Nov. 11 and Nov. 22.

It was further added that 7 suspects were arrested for oil theft-related offences and were currently undergoing preliminary investigations.


Premium Times