JTF Army arrested 1,857 oil thieves, destroyed 1,951 illegal refineries

Commander, Joint (Military) Task Force in the Niger
Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro,
has said the outfit arrested no fewer than 1,857
suspected oil thieves and destroyed 1,951 illegal
refineries in 2013. The JTF commander said this while
briefing journalists on the operational activities of the
outfit for 2013 in Yenagoa on Tuesday night. He also
said during the year under review, the JTF conducted
1,025 anti-illegal oil bunkering patrols. He said
during those patrols, the outfit scuttled 81 barges,
1,117 Cotonou boats, 82 tanker trucks and 1,873
surface tanks. Debiro added that 39,760 drums of
illegally refined petroleum products, 570 pumping
machines and 75 outboard motor engines used as
apparatus to facilitate oil theft were seized and
destroyed. He also said 46 vessels of various sizes
and capacities were also arrested during the period.
The JTF boss said the outfit was able to achieve the
above-mentioned feat through constant patrols
based on credible intelligence obtained from various
sources, particularly higher headquarters, other
components of the JTF, informants and good citizens.
Debiro said, “In spite of the difficult environment in
which it operates, the JTF has recorded modest
successes, although still confronted with a handful of
challenges and constraints. “These challenges were
inadequate maritime platforms, insufficient
operational vehicles, lack of some essential kits and
insufficient manpower. “The task force is however
optimistic that most of these challenges will soon be
addressed through the efforts of Chief of Defence
Staff, Defence Headquarters and the National
Economic Council intervention plan initiated by
President Goodluck Jonathan.” He said the outfit
could stop illegal bunkering completely in the region
provided they were well equipped and the logistical
challenges facing the outfit were fully addressed. He
commended his officers and men for their diligence
in the fight against oil theft, piracy and other criminal
activities in the region. “We can stop illegal
bunkering in our country. Afterall, it was started by
someone. But this cannot be fully achieved if the
logistical challenges facing the JTF are not
addressed,” he added