JTF Arrests Vessel With Fake Clearance Documents For Oil Theft…Impounds Fishing Trawler Used For Stealing Oil

The Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield in a series of anti oil theft and pipeline vandalism operations from 19 to 29 March 2013 have arrested a sea going vessel with 12 crew members along the Akassa water ways in Bayelsa state. The vessel christened MV Buyus flaunting fake clearance documents is currently secured at the Nigerian Navy Dock Yard in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state, while the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agencies for further investigation and subsequent prosecution. In the same vein, a fishing trawler christened Bolajoko with 5 crew members on board has been impounded by troops of the JTF at the NPA Jetty, Bonny in Rivers state, while trans-loading illegally cooked Automated Gas oil (AGO) into large plastic tanks and drums with the aid of water pumping machines. 

The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigations at the JTF Sector 2 Headquarters in Port Harcourt. Arrested alongside the vessel were 55 assorted boats conveying stolen petroleum product, along Otumara and Araton general area of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. During the raid operation, 5 camps where stolen crude oil was being distilled illegally were discovered and scuttled in Akassa, Sangana, Igbematoru and Ogbia creeks of Bayelsa State. More also, 59 assorted open boats,  451 drums , 12 illegal oil distillery camps, 88 plastic tanks, 6 outboard engines and 18 pumping machines were scuttled along Elume in Warri North, Escravos , Saghara creeks in warri South and Benneth Island in Delta state.

The Land patrol squads of the JTF have also intercepted 4 tanker trucks conveying stolen petroleum products along Enugu – Port Harcourt Express Road. The drivers and tanker trucks were arrested when they failed to produce documents certifying them for lifting of the product. They have been handed over to the Imo state Nigeria security and civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.

In another development, troops of 130 Battalion of the Joint Task Force led by its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Caius Baushe in response to over fly reports received from Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) on 28 March 2013 has scuttled 8 crude oil illegal distilling camps, 6 crude oil laden open wooden boats and pumping machines used for oil theft in Bille area of Rivers state.

At the end of the operation, the Commanding Officer pointed out, that to further curb the activities of illegal oil distillers in the region and to prevent them from returning to the illicit trade, there was a dire need for oil firms operating in the region to facilitate the evacuation of scuttled reservoirs and cooking drums hitherto used by the oil thieves and concentrate them in a secured area where they cannot be accessed. This call was necessitated, following the finding that most of the illegal oil distilling camps discovered during the operation had earlier been scuttled by JTF troops but were later resuscitated as the reservoirs were not evacuated from the crime scene.