Samuel Oyadongha
02 February 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Pulo Shield has arrested seven suspected crude oil thieves in Bayelsa State.
The suspects were nabbed by men of the Joint Task Force on routine patrol of the creeks of Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, said the suspects were arrested at Onyeregbene, Lasugbene and Igbomaturu communities.
His words, “in line with its mandate to eradicate the menace of crude oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products and illegal oil bunkering, the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield have arrested 7 suspected pipeline vandals in Onyeregbene, Lasugbene and Igbomaturu communities, in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa.
“The arrests were effected during a routine patrol on 28 January 2012.”
He gave the names of the suspects as Emmanuel Prophet, Patrick Enoch, Douglas Dickson, Goodluck Ala, Foetus Job, Plain Mazellen and Suwoton Aladege..
Items recovered from the suspects, he said, include a generator set, pumping machine, 8hp Outboard engine, a pumping valve, a speed boat, and N42, 010,00 among other personal effect.
He added, “the items the suspects were found with are the usual used in vandalising pipelines before crude oil is siphoned.
“In the light of the negative effect of pipeline vandalism on the economy and environment, the JTF implores the general public to continue to cooperate with the agency by promptly reporting suspicious elements in their midst to facilitate the close monitoring of such individuals to forestall the perpetration of crimes.”
