JTF arrests suspected oil thieves in Rivers

THE Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has arrested 17 suspects allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering in Borokiri Shoreline, Port Harcourt Local Council, Rivers State.The Guardian gathered that operatives of the 'Operation Pulo Shield' raided the site of the illegal oil refinery located in the Rex Lawson Waterfront at about 2.30a.m. yesterday, destroying three boatsused by the suspects to transport illegally refined products to other communities .During a visit to the site, heavily armed soldiers were seen in the community, popularly knownas 'Kpo-Fire,' which has been converted into a jetty as well as 30 drums containing illegal petroleum products.Residents disclosed that the hoodlums had been in the illegal business for over three years. One of them, Mr. Christopher Apkan,said theyouthsinvolved in the illegal oil business ran away before the arrival of the security agents, and appealed to the security personnelto release the arrested persons, stressing that they were innocent.Akpan said: 'For over three years now, the hoodlums converted this waterfront to illegal oil business and that hasdisrupted the peace in the area. We are happy that the security men have discovered their criminal act. We hope that they will ensure an end to this obnoxious act'.Some other residents were also seen scampering into hiding to avoid being arrested by the military personnel.Spokesman, Sector Two JTF, Capt. Sunny Samuel, said the raid was in line with the determination ofthe task force to curbillegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.His words: 'Yes, it is true that we raided Borokiri this morning. It is part of our determination to rid the Niger Delta region of illegal oil bunkerers. We will continue to raid their facilities as long as we continue to get information on where they are operating'.Samuel said the suspects would soon be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.
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