JTF arrests 12 suspects, seven diesel tankers

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta region, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, on Thursday paraded 12 suspected illegal oil dealers and seven tankers suspected to be laden with over 210,000 litres of Automotive Gasoline (AGO) in Effurun, Delta State.

 Other items also seized from the suspects included a truck, a car, a bus and other materials at different locations in Koko, Ughelli and Warri areas of the state during the month of August.

The Sector 1 Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Col. Alhassan Grema, during the parade and handing over ceremony held at the 3 Battalion Barrack of the Nigerian Army in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, told newsmen that several Cotonou boats used for illegal refinery businesses have also been destroyed by the military outfit.

 Grema warned oil thieves in the region to desist from vowing to ensure that unrepentant illegal oil magnates  were apprehended and prosecuted.

 While handing the suspects and the impounded items to officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps  for further investigation and prosecution, he noted that ODS had been walking tediously to ensure that the region was free from activities of pipeline vandals.

 He said, “Since the activation of the Operation Delta Safe, we have been quite busy securing oil facilities within the Niger Delta region. We have effected several arrest and seizure.

“Today, it is my pleasure to handover some seized items and some arrested suspects to officials of NSCDC in Delta State for prosecution.”