JTF arrests 699 suspects in concerted effort to stop oil theft
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A total 699 crime suspects were arrested in 2022 by Operation Delta Safe, a Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in the South South which destroyed 1,883 illegal oil refining sites and saved the treasury N53 billion.
JTF Commander Rear Adm. Aminu Hassan disclosed in Igbogene, Yenagoa 90 assorted illegal weapons and large calibre ammunition were also seized, and 37 militants and sea pirates camps destroyed across 12 Niger Delta states.
More than N53 billion worth of crude oil, diesel, kerosene, and petrol was saved, he added
Hassan seven suspects were arrested for possession of illegal arms in several operations conducted to safeguard people, oil and gas installations, prevent crude oil theft, as well as clear militants and sea pirates.
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Other items recovered
Hassan also announced the arrest of seven suspected gunrunners on waterways for concealing weapons in wooden boats covered with other cargoes, per Daily Post.
Items recovered from them include AK 47 rifles, bullets, cash, mobile phones, and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.
He expressed appreciation for the support of the federal government, defence headquarters, service chiefs, other security agencies and stakeholders, including the media for the successes.
He said the JTF resolved 188 disputes involving multinational oil companies and host communities through civil-military relations and mediation efforts.
Hassan disclosed having met with leaders of the Maritime Union, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association, and Timber Dealers Association and urged them to be vigilant and report activities to the JTF.
Bayelsa Maritime Union Chairman Ogoniba Ipigansi gave an assurance unions would cooperate with the JTF.
Nigerian elite steal $46.16b crude oil in 7 years
Oil theft in the Niger Delta is an organised crime perpetrated by the elite North and South, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) lamented last December in the face an economy sabotage carried out in collusion with foreign entities.
Figures compiled by the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) show 619.7 million barrels of crude oil worth $46.16 billion (N16.25 trillion) were stolen in seven years alone.
NEITI Head of Communications and Advocacy Obiageli Onuorah said the agency supports the plan by the federal government to investigate oil theft which has depleted output and destabilised the economy.
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