Mkpoikana Udoma 22 December 2014, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The special squad of the Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield in conjunction with the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Oil and Gas Task Force, has arrested an illegal oil bunkering barge containing unquantified substances suspected to be stolen crude oil along Igbematoru waterways of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Four suspects on board the barge were also arrested and are undergoing preliminary investigation while the barge has been anchored at Igbematoru House Boat for further action.
This information is contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the JTF, Colonel Mustapha Anka and made available to SweetCrudeReports.
According to the statement, “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 have discovered two illegal oil distillery camps where oil thieves operates with Cotonou boats, 26 drums with 200 litres capacity containing illegally acquired crude oil, two ovens and other several illegal oil bunkering equipment. The illegal sites and the equipment were destroyed in line with the JTF mandate”.
“Troops following a tip off, raided Ekraka village in Ethiope East LGA of Delta state and recovered two locally made double-barrels loaded with live cartridges .The suspects abandoned the weapons and fled on sighting troops. The recovered weapon is in the custody of the JTF while effort to apprehend the suspects is ongoing”.
“In another development, a cult leader Mr. Solomon Owhondah who has been the brain behind serial killings and destruction of properties worth millions of naira during community crisis in Ibaa community of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers state has been arrested by the troops of the Sector 2 and currently going through investigation to ascertain his level of involvement before handing him over to the prosecuting agency for prosecution”.
“This is coming after eight cultists on the wanted list in connection with Ibaa crisis surrendered themselves to the JTF. Items recovered from the cultist includes 1 Police Berretta rifle, 1 double barrel gun, 3 locally made pistols, 8 phones, 3 empty magazines and 4 rounds of 7.62mm Special. The suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before handing them over to prosecuting agencies” the statement said.