JTF Rescue Abducted Indians, Arrest 17 Oil Theft Suspects In Niger Delta

A combined crack squad of 130 Battalion of the Joint Task Force, the

Nigerian Navy and the State Security Department in Rivers State, have

rescued 3 Indians abducted by a gang of nine Kidnappers in Rivers state.

The Indians, Messrs. Kanishk Johrar, Mohinder Saini, and Balwinder Singh

were abducted about a month ago on board a fishing trawler at Malabo and

brought into the shores of Nigerian waters by the gang, which demanded a

million dollar ransom. The combined security squad swung into action after

tracking the abductors to their hide out at Abissa, a small fishing port

in Akuku' Toru, Local Government Area of Rivers State, arresting five

suspects while others are still on the run.
In a separate development, troops of 3, 19 and 195 Battalions of Sector 1

anti illegal oil bunkering squads of the Joint Task Force OPERATION PULO

SHIELD have uncovered and scuttled 12 illegal oil distillation camps at

Agbede forest, Obi-Ayagha and Otegele communities in Etsako West, Ugheli

South and Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State.

During the clamp down, the troops uncovered 28 Cotonu boats, 24

underground storage tanks containing about 70,000 litres of illegally

distilled Automated Gas Oil , 547 steel drums, 5 surface tanks, 22 plastic

tanks all filled with suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

Other items discovered include 5 speed boats loaded with 150 drums of

illegally refined AGO, 47 fabricated steel pots and 37 ovens used for

cooking illegally sourced crude oil. Ten suspects nabbed during the

operation are currently in the headquarters for further investigations.

Seven other suspects were also arrested by the troops for pipeline

vandalism and oil related crimes. Four of the suspects were apprehended

for vandalizing a pipeline belonging to PPMC at Okuejeba, while three

others were arrested along Chanomi Creek in Warri South West for indulging

in acts of pipeline vandalism in the area. The suspects are in custody of

3 and 19 Battalions for preliminary investigations before they will be

handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies.
In similar operations, troops of 29 Battalion and 343 Regiment of Sector 2

anti oil theft squads of the JTF conducting pipeline patrols along

Brass-Tebidada Agip pipeline have scuttled illegal oil distillation camps

along Alakari general area and Lasukugbene community in Southern Ijaw

Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
In the 10 days anti illegal oil bunkering operations, the troops employed

swamp boogies to destroy emerging illegal oil refineries, scuttling 29

illegal oil bunkering cooking points, and surface tanks situated near a

Well Head “Alake 008” at Alakiri general area. The troops also discovered

and scuttled one wooden boat, 6 illegal crude oil dumps and 20 metal drums

containing illegally refined AGO.
During the anti oil theft operations, which lasted from 20 – 2 February

2014, seventeen suspects were arrested for oil theft related offences and

are currently undergoing preliminary investigations before they will be

handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies for prosecution.