The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, under code name, Operation Pulo Shield, arrested seven persons suspected to be oil theives in Bayelsa State, the Vanguard reported.
According to the reports, the suspects were hauled in by security operatives during a routine patrol of the creeks of Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
Lt. Col Timothy Antigha, spokesman of the Joint Task Force, confirmed the reports and said the suspects were arrested at Onyeregbene, Lasugbene and Igbomaturu communities.
He said: “in line with its mandate to eradicate the menace of crude oil theft, illegal refining of petroleum products and illegal oil bunkering, the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield have arrested 7 suspected pipeline vandals in Onyeregbene, Lasugbene and Igbomaturu communities, in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa.
“The arrests were effected during a routine patrol on 28 January 2012.”
Antigha said the items recovered from the suspects, include a generator set, pumping machine, 8hp Outboard engine, a pumping valve, a speed boat, and N42, 010,00 among other personal effects.
He added, “the items the suspects were found with are the usual used in vandalising pipelines before crude oil is siphoned.
“In the light of the negative effect of pipeline vandalism on the economy and environment, the JTF implores the general public to continue to cooperate with the agency by promptly reporting suspicious elements in their midst to facilitate the close monitoring of such individuals to forestall the perpetration of crimes.”
