Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, OPDS says a total of 1,800 illegal oil refining sites and 37 militants and sea robbery camps were destroyed in the outgoing year, 2022.
Commander of OPDS, Rear Admiral Aminu Hassan, speaking on the activities and achievements for the outgoing year, said it arrested a total of 699 suspects for complicity in crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and sundry crimes in the outgoing year under review.
Hassan said the JTF conducted several operations in the outgoing year to ensure safe and peaceful operation of the oil and gas industry in the Niger Delta region as well as safeguard the people of the area.
According to him, these include protection of oil and gas facilities, anti-crude oil theft operations, clearance of militants and sea pirates’ camp and non-kinetic conflicts resolution.
“In the process, over N53 billion was saved in terms of cost from crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol with 699 suspects arrested, 37 militants and sea robbers camp destroyed, 90 assorted illegal weapons and large calibre ammunition recovered with 1883 illegal oil refining sites dismantled.”
While appreciating the support from the Federal Government, the Defence Headquarters, Service Chiefs, other security agencies and stakeholders including the Media for the successes recorded, he stated that the JTF resolved about 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through the Civil-Military relations and mediation efforts.
The Commander also met with the leadership of the Maritime Union, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association and Timber Dealers Association urging them to be vigilant and report such concealment of arms in cargo to the Joint force.
Chairman of the Bayelsa Maritime Union, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, assured that the union would cooperate with the joint task force.
Follow us on twitter
