Oil Theft: JTF Impounds 53 Ships, 200 Barges

Oil Theft: JTF Impounds 53 Ships, 200 Barges

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield said it has impounded 53 vessels, 200 barges and destroyed 840 illegal refineries in its fight against oil theft from March till date.

According to the media coordinator of the task force, Col. Mustapha Anka, the efforts of the JTF has significantly reduced the menace of oil theft in the region.

Anka said that JTF officers rebuffed a bribe offer of 65,000 dollars (about N120million) and arrested the culprits.

He said that the troops destroyed four militant camps, freed and rescued more than 10 victims from the kidnappers’ den.

According to him, the task force equally embarked on advocacy campaigns to enlist the support of oil communities in the fight against oil theft.

“The command also embarked on confidence building patrols to dissuade the youths and the community at largefrom involving in illegal oil bunkering and other criminality in the region,”