Nigeria continues oil theft fight

Lack of equipment and bribery becoming potential issues for JTF.

JTF arrests 20 vessels, destroys 854 refineries in Q1

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield said at the weekend that at least 20 ships were arrested at the first quarter of this year over offences bordering on oil theft.

The Commander, JTF, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, said in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State at the weekend while briefing members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wife Association (NAOWA) led by their National President and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs. Felly Minamah, that the command also destroyed 854 illegal refineries within the period.

The commander who received members of NAOWA in company with the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Desmond Agu, said that JTF further arrested many hardened sea pirates, kidnappers and cultists.

Atewe said oil multinationals operating in the region were recording significant increase in production because of JTF’s war against economic sabotage.

He said troops of JTF apprehended many hardened sea pirates, kidnappers and cultists, adding that some of the suspects died in gun battle with soldiers.

He however, lamented dearth of operational logistics and begged the army headquarters to send more gunboats, operational vehicles and personnel to the command.

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Source: worldstagegroup.com